Project Qatar: New Exhibitors Ride on Innovation to Win Construction Market Share

Doha, May 07 (QNA) - A number of exhibitors from countries debuting in Project Qatar 2013 hope to win a share in Qatar's public and private infrastructure expansion plans based on the new age parameters of innovation, sustainability and durability that match globally accepted building construction rating systems. Six from over 50 countries that have showcased their products and services in the Middle East's leading construction expo, that opened here Monday under the patronage HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, are participating for the first time in the four-day event at the Doha Exhibition Centre. Architecture, construction, power transmission and distribution, water management, information-technology and heavy machinery companies from Canada, South Korea, India, Thailand, Spain and Romania are showcasing their products under the aegis of their countries' respective nodal trade, business and investment promotion ministries or agencies. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) after HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin AbdulAziz Al Thani officially inaugurated the expo Monday evening, Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment representative Al Hinton who is the Area Director, Middle East Trade Branch, said, "The Ontario Government is partnering with the Canadian Embassy here in Qatar for our first national and provincial exhibition at the 10th anniversary of Project Qatar. We have nine exhibitors that are within our pavilion besides half a dozen other stand alone exhibitors." On the objectives for participating in Project Qatar for the first time, Hinton said, "We want to showcase Ontario's key industries from the construction sector like architecture, project management, fast-build solutions, metal, flooring, retractable glass domes and security companies." Having won the rights to host major international sports events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar and the GCC have a huge opportunity as they continue to expand their infrastructure. We are keen to be part of this since Qatar and Canada have great business relationships over a number of years, said the Ontario representative who has visited Project Qatar thrice in the last 10 years. The products on display by the dozen companies include metal roof tiles, shades, transferable shelters, and LEDs. "There are multiple Korean companies that are not under the Korean pavilion due to the limited size of the space we have leased. We are planning to enlarge the size of leasing space so that many more Korean companies are able to join the Korean Pavilion next year," said Yi. Regarding expectations from the expo the Analyst said, "Korean products have not yet been fully introduced to the Qatari market. However, we are anticipating high interest from local buyers in Korean products developed through its state of the art technology and innovation." From Europe two countries - Spain and Romania - are participating for the first time. Trade Promotion Agency of Andalucia, Extenda, UAE Director, Rosario Millan admitted Andalucia's debut is low key with only five companies on show. "It is an opportunity as well as a challenge to be a part of Project Qatar. It is a small beginning with some of our interior and outdoor decorations companies displaying ceramic pots, murals and pottery items which showcase Andalucian culture. These designs are very close to Arabian tastes," she told QNA, reiterating Spain's historical ties with Qatar. One interesting sports product on display is ecological ice rink for skating showcased by Xtraice. "It is a synthetic ice rink which gives similar skating experience as real ice. This is installed in three UAE malls in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah," Millan said. Although the Andalucian Pavilion is small, Qatar has strong ties with Spain that extend beyond the football fields of Barcelona and Malaga. She pointed out to the partnership of Madrid-headquartered Obrascon Huarte Lain (OHL), one of the largest international concession and construction groups, with Sidra Medical and Research Centre as well as the country's participation in Doha Metro tender process. The other two first time participants are India and Thailand whose exhibitors are showcasing under the umbrellas of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and the Royal Thai Government 's Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce. Local and foreign construction and allied sectors companies adding up to 2,100 exhibitors this year are keen to showcase their products and services in Project Qatar since Qatar is poised launch major infrastructure projects including bridges, tunnels, and intersections by 2017. This includes approximately 400 bridges and tunnels, 240 intersections and 31 other projects. (END)