HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani inaugurating ‘Project Qatar 2014’ at the QNCC yesterday.

HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani officially inaugurated ‘Project Qatar 2014’ at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) yesterday.

Local dignitaries and diplomats were among those present. Among them were Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lapo Pistelli, and Andrea Ferrari, Trade Commissioner at the Italian Embassy in Qatar.

The event assumes significance as $200bn worth of projects are in the pipeline to be completed in Qatar in the run up to FIFA World Cup 2022 and realising Qatar National Vision 2030.

IFP Qatar chairman Rashid Nasser Sraiya al-Kaabi said: “We are honoured by the support of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. We would also like to express our gratitude to HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, for inaugurating Project Qatar 2014. We also deeply thank the Qatari government, our esteemed exhibitors and sponsors for their unlimited support and generosity since the inception of Project Qatar in 2004.”

Project Qatar project manager Rawad Sleem said: “The initial number of visitors has exceeded 11,500 and is likely to exceed 45,000 by the end of the exhibition. Moreover, we are thrilled to hear early positive feedback from participants exploring new partnerships and discussing potential lucrative business deals. Industry professionals such as architects, contractors, consultants, designers, construction professionals, as well as government officials and regulators, project owners and project managers, are able to connect and discuss the most innovative projects, high-profile case studies and solutions from across the regional and international markets.”

Ayman Ladkani, sales and marketing manager, United International Company said: “We have had a very productive first day at Project Qatar. It is a unique platform in the region and we have been fortunate to hold many fruitful discussions involving potential deals from both local and international participants. Leading companies from across the globe are here at the QNCC and are ready to do business. It is an excellent indication of what is to come in the next few days ahead.”

Albert Aoun, chairman, IFP Group and organiser of Project Qatar, said: “Project Qatar is the largest building and construction industry event in Qatar, which continues to expand and grow each year. We are hoping to break all records this year in terms of visitors’ numbers and value of contracts awarded; exhibitors and visitors who have attended previous iterations of Project Qatar have already commented on the success of the event so far, appreciating the efforts of widening our scope to include additional exhibitions and conferences at this year’s edition.”

Project Qatar 2014 takes place at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) until May 15 from 4pm to 10pm. The exhibition is also hosting two concurrent events — ‘Qatar StoneTech’, which is the 3rd International Stone & Stone Technology Show and ‘Heavy Max 2014’, the 11th International Exhibition for Heavy Machinery.

The expo will also host a new educational platform — the Project Qatar Conference Series, organised by Advanced Conferences & Meetings (ACM), which will include  ‘LightingTech Qatar’, ‘HVACTech Qatar’ and ‘Future Interiors Qatar’.

 

 

BELOW:

1) A panoramic view of the ‘Project Qatar 2014’ being held at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). The exhibition will be open until May 15 from 4pm to 10pm.

 

2) HE Sheikh Ahmed with Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani touring the Project Qatar at QNCC yesterday.