Project Qatar is building on its strength as the principal event that gives a significant insight into the ample opportunities afforded by the construction market in Qatar.

Project Qatar aims to provide a unique construction arena and an optimal business platform to access Qatar’s solid construction industry when it opens in Doha, Qatar, next month (May 8 to 11).

To be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), the state-of-the-art venue at West Bay in the heart of the Qatari capital, Project Qatar offers visitors an opportunity to clinch valuable local and regional sales deals as well as make contacts, and to position themselves at the forefront of the Qatari construction industry.

Now in its 14th edition, this year’s show will be held concurrently with Heavy Max 2017, an international exhibition for heavy machinery, which is also in its 14th year; and Qatar Stone Tech 2017, the sixth international stone and stone technology show. 

The exhibition includes a free B2B (business-to-business) matchmaking service, specialised conferences and workshops, and construction site tours.

“Welcoming national governmental entities as well as regional and international decision-makers, Project Qatar 2017 is the unique gateway to construction opportunities in Qatar,” says a spokesman for the organiser.

Qatar is pressing ahead with plans to transform into a knowledge-based economy and these are expected to gather pace as the country moves toward diversifying its economy, achieving sustainable development, and providing high standards of living for its population through its 2030 vision.

He points out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Qatar to reach an annual growth rate of 3.4 per cent, the highest forecast growth in the GCC region. 

38,000 people visited Project Qatar in 2016.

Citing some of the opportunities offered by the country’s construction sector, the spokesman says: “Qatar’s budget for 2017 has earmarked $26 billion for major projects in key sectors: transportation and infrastructure alone have been allocated $12 billion, representing 21.2 per cent of the total budgeted expenditure.

“The construction sector is growing at an annual rate of 11.4 per cent. Overall, the government has embarked on a $205-billion investment programme.

“Mega infrastructure projects in the country include the $7-billion New Doha Port Project, and $15-billion construction of roadways and highways. Transport projects currently under construction are worth $44 billion with $34.8 billion projects expected to be awarded by 2018.

Qatar’s construction industry is further fuelled by the Fifa World Cup 2022 and the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030). Some eight eco-friendly stadiums are being built for $10-billion.

“In the real estate sector, Qatar is working on one of the largest real estate developments, Lusail City. Spread over 38 sq m and costing $45 billion, the new city will house 200,000 residents. It will have commercial districts including a $925-million Marina Mall, 22 hotels, four islands, and two golf courses.

“Then there is a $4.1-billion Barwa project with residential, health, retail and cultural areas spread over 1.35 million sq m; and the mixed-use healthy lifestyle Al Jawhara City worth $1.5 billion.

“In the utilities sector, $20 billion is being invested for water and power projects including 140 new power stations, 810 km of water mains, and five new water reservoirs. There are also are plans for $125-billion worth of further investment.”

Last year’s event

In 2016, Project Qatar gathered more than 660 regional and international exhibitors – representing more than 1,050 companies – from 38 countries – across 32,000 sq m of exhibition space. The four-day business platform included 17 national pavilions and was supported by 18 international official bodies. Nearly 38,000 people visited Project Qatar 2016. There were also 16 workshops and 472 B2B meetings conducted at last year’s event.

Commenting on the concurrent events, the spokesman says: “Heavy Max attracts a massive number of manufacturers and suppliers from the world’s leading brands and caters to the needs of large construction projects in terms of heavy equipment, vehicles, machinery and cranes.

“Qatar StoneTech 2017 meets the demands of the construction industry by providing natural stones, granite, marble, ceramic, manufactured and processed stoned. The show brings together top regional and international suppliers and manufacturers, agents and engineers.”