From left: Pierre Prunis, Commercial Counselor, Austrian Embassy; Askar Alharithi, General Manager, Public Relations, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Jean-Jacques Manigart, Trade Commissioner, Belgium Embassy during a press conference Sunday at the Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh. RIYADH – Qatar's construction industry will be given a big boost by $125 billion worth of construction and energy projects being planned for the coming six years. Among the major developments in the pipeline are projects for a $7 billion international airport, a $5.5 billion deepwater seaport, and $20 billion for new roads and highways, while constructing 12 eco-friendly stadiums has been estimated to cost over $32 billion, with the first stadium ready by 2015. More and more regional and international investors are showing great interest in Qatar's market and the opportunities posed by the country's hydrocarbon wealth and stable business environment. Saudi companies in particular are eyeing business and investment prospects in the neighboring Gulf state. In a press conference held Sunday at the Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh, Fadi Kaddoura, Group Vice President the organizer IFP Group, explained how the upcoming "Project Qatar: the 9th International Construction, Building, Environmental Technology and Materials Exhibition", is an important platform for Saudi and international developers and investors to enter the dynamic Qatari construction market "The 62,000 sqm exhibition on April 30 to May 3, will host over 2,000 exhibitors representing 47 countries, out of which 26 are participating under national pavilions. The Saudi Pavilion gathers 20 prominent companies, and is organized by our sister company, the Riyadh Exhibitions Co. – REC" Kaddoura said. He also added that over 42,000 trade visitors and construction professionals are expected to visit the fair from the whole region, with major visitor turnout expected from Saudi Arabia. Saudi participants at Project Qatar 2012 stand to benefit from the Kingdom's proximity to Qatar, the flexible custom regulations they share which gives them a competitive edge over other foreign exhibitors at the event. Two other major shows will run concurrently with Project Qatar 2012: Qatar Stone Tech 2012 - The International Stone and Stone Technology Show held in association with Verona Fiere and Confindustria Marmomacchine Association, and Heavy Max 2012 – The International Exhibition for Heavy Machinery and Construction Equipment and Plants. The conference was attended by representatives from the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as commercial counselors and trade commissioners from several embassies of countries participating in Project Qatar 2012.
