The 16th Project Qatar will open with more than 500 exhibitors from 34 countries at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) from April 29 to May 1.
Held under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the three-day event is the country's largest construction exhibition and conference.
Organised by the International Fairs and Promotions (IFP) Qatar, Project Qatar 2019 will also highlight innovation in the construction sector. A special product zone called ‘Smart District' will be dedicated to Qatar's Smart Nation Program.
The ‘Smart District' will serve as a platform for smart technology providers, urban planner, innovators, and other industry specialists to explore the requirements for Qatar's digitised cities and connect with local stakeholders while showing the cutting-edge innovations implemented in building, energy, and transportation.
Addressing a press conference here yesterday, IFP Qatar Acting General Manager Haidar Mshaimesh said, 'Project Qatar has always been a major contributor to the development of Qatar's construction sector.
As the industry undergoes changes with the emergence of new projects the exhibition is diversifying its offerings with a focus on the technological aspect of the construction sector while continuing to provide insight into the industry's trade dynamics.
Ziad Balbisi, Programme Director at Parsons International Limited (Project Qatar's exclusive Smart District sponsor), also said the company will showcase its advanced technologies and comprehensive end-to-end smart city solutions during the event.
Talking to The Peninsula, Balbisi said, 'Qatar is actively developing the concept of smart cities. We have been talking with officials about the features of software systems developed by Parsons and currently used by smart cities in the United States. We look forward to developing the same systems to work on full blown smart cities in Qatar. These are very complicated and sophisticated software systems which include the smart city mobility, Inet, and Domain6.
' When it comes to smart cities, Parsons is ahead in the game with its cutting edge technologies. And Project Qatar 2019 will provide the best opportunity to emphasise our commitment to Qatar in its efforts to deliver world-leading smart infrastructure to its residents.
This year's conference will be held with the theme ‘The Future of Construction in Qatar' and will feature feature keynote addresses by Qatar Chamber's Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Public Works Authority (Ashgal) Acting President Youssef Abdul Rahman Al Emadi, and Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Managing Director for Business Development Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani among other officials.
A series of trainings and workshops certified by CPD London, IMA, and ASTM International will also be conducted free of charge during the event to support the development of professionals in the construction field in Qatar.
More than 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the exhibition which is spread over 25,000 square metres of exclusive showrooms. As many as 15 national pavilions will introduce their product and services including Turkey.
Pavilions from Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Kuwait, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom will also be featured during the event. As many as 71 sponsors and partners are also supporting the event.