Gulf Times - 2/5/2006

The ‘Project Qatar 2006’, showcasing construction technology, building materials and environmental engineering by national, regional and global companies, yesterday started off on a strong note.
The four-day international exhibition, organised by International Fairs and Promotions (IFP), was inaugurated by Second Deputy Premier HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah.

The event will see as many as 550 companies from over 29 countries at the Qatar International Exhibition Center (QIEC).
Touring the exhibition, which spans over 15,000 sq m of indoor space and 5,000 sq m outdoors, al-Attiyah, who is also the energy and industries minister, said Qatar has committed large investments for infrastructure development and many of the companies (which have put up stalls) could be a partner in the development of the country.
This year’s event has seen 30% growth in the total number of exhibitors and exhibition space, according to organisers.
The event, which expects several thousands visitors, will see companies from China, Korea, Holland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Slovenia, Thailand, Greece, Oman, Lebanon, Bahrain, Singapore, US and UK.
Besides Qatar, the pavilions of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Egypt, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will feature in the exhibition.
Project Qatar 2006, the third in a series, is slated to receive strong support from the Qatari and international business community as the country’s rapid economic and commercial expansion are making it one of the most vibrant economies in the region, IFP said.
The event comes in view of the over $1tn investments laid out in the entire GCC region, mainly relating to construction and real estate, providing ample scope for the companies to network.
Apart from the facilities constructed or under construction for the 2006 Doha Asian Games, Doha will also house over 180 towers, more than 37 new hotels, a new $5.5bn airport, the multi-billion dollar man-made island ‘The Pearl Qatar’ and a causeway connecting Qatar to Bahrain.
A ‘diamond sponsor’, the Public Works Authority Ashgal, which has earmarked QR26bn for infrastructure expenditure over the next five years, has put up a huge pavilion to display its projects.
The event will feature products like pipes, ceramic tiles, wood flooring, thermal insulation boards, building materials, structural engineering products, infrastructure development products, communications solutions and software, survey equipment, environmental engineering solutions, hydraulic PU press, aluminium works and glass fabrication, besides heavy and high construction machinery.
The other diamond sponsor is Gulf Warehous-ing Company, while Honeywell-Novar-MK is the gold sponsor.