FM opens Project Qatar

First Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani yesterday inaugurated Project Qatar 2007 at Qatar International Exhibition Centre (QIEC). Some 500 companies from 33 countries participating in the largest trade event ever organized in Qatar.

The ceremony was attended by H E Yousuf Hussein Kamal, Minister of Finance, ambassadors and commercial counselors of the participating countries, Qatari officials, Rashid Al Sraiya Al Kaabi Chairman of IFP Qatar and Albert Aoun, Chairman of IFP Group the organizers of the fair, Abdullah Al Nuaimi General Manager of QIEC, exhibitors and members of the press.

Also present at the opening was Roger Dager -Chief Communication Officer of United Development Company (UDC) the Platinum sponsor of the show, Faisal Mohammad Al Sulaiti - Chairman Gulf Warehousing Company, Nasser Jassem Darwish - Vice Chairman Darwish Group and Charles Moncrieff, CEO HSBC Bank Qatar the Diamond sponsors, and Mana Chairman of Century 21 - Qatar the Silver sponsor of the event.

Sheikh Hamad toured the stalls at the exhibition and welcomed all the international participants to Qatar and encouraged them to invest in Qatari projects, stressing on the government's strategy to attract investment in all sectors of the Qatari economy.

Rashid Al Kaabi, Chairman of IFP Qatar, organizers of the fair, said that Project Qatar 2007 is the largest international trade event staged in Qatar. "We had to add 5000 meters of additional buildings at QIEC to host the large demand for space from around the world" said Al Kaabi.

Al Qaabi added that the current 4th edition of Project Qatar is expected to attract more visitors than in any previous years. "More than 15,000 professionals from Qatar and the neighbouring countries will attend Project Qatar showcasing the latest technologies in building materials, equipment, technologies and services, interior finishes, stone and marble, electrical engineering, HVAC and environment protection technology needed to meet the boom we are witnessing in Qatar".

Albert Aoun, Chairman of IFP Group, said that Project Qatar "has become the annual rendezvous for hundreds of International and Qatari firms to meet and do business with thousands of industry professionals from Qatar and the region".

"Project Qatar 2007 has attracted over 500 exhibitors from 33 countries. Official country pavilions at the show include those from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, the UAE, UK and Qatar, joined by individual international exhibitors from Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, India, Iran Kuwait, Ireland, Jordan, New Zealand, Russia and Thailand.

The Qatari participation this year is at a record high, with scores of Qatari manufacturing and traders presenting their latest technology, building products and equipment from Qatar and from around the world, added Aoun.

He also noted that for the first time in Qatar, a delegation of 60 Iraqi businessmen from the Anbar Business Association are attending Project Qatar lead by the Governor of Al Anbar Province and a delegation of officials and project managers.

IFP Qatar is also the organiser of two international trade fairs serving the Qatari economy: "Diyafa 2007" - the 3rd Hotel, Restaurant and Food Exhibition, and "Ekar Invest Qatar 2007" - the Real Estate, Investment and Banking for Qatar and the GCC. The two shows will be held at the brand new Qatari International Exhibition Centre (QIEC) adjacent to Doha International Hotel, from November 19-22, 2007.

Project Qatar 2007 is open for professional visitors daily from 4 pm to 10 pm from April 2 to April 5, 2007.