IFP Qatar to launch business events on construction, hospitality, CSR

IFP Qatar has announced its 2024 exhibition calendar, which features an exciting line-up of events as part of its strategic plan to provide a high level of international excellence within Qatar’s exhibitions and conferences landscape.Since its inception in 2004, IFP has proved to be a leading exhibition and event organiser with over 35 years of experience and a rich portfolio of world-class B2B and B2C events across various sectors, said Haidar Meshaimesh, general manager of IFP Qatar.This year’s array of exhibitions spans three pivotal sectors, including social responsibility, construction and hospitality, enhancing the company’s contribution to the local economy and solidifying Qatar’s position as a premier global hub in the vibrant Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.Meshaimesh said IFP Qatar was responsible for organising the second edition of Qatar CSR Summit, in partnership with Qatar University and Mubadara for Social Impact, under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.The highly anticipated event will take place from April 30 to May 2 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) under the theme ‘The Future of CSR in a Circular Economy’. An initiative by Mubadara for Social Impact, the upcoming Qatar CSR Summit 2024 comes as part of the 11th Qatar CSR National Programme.Alongside the conference and exhibition, the event will also include the annual Qatar CSR National Report and the prestigious Qatar CSR Awards, a special programme that honours organisations and individuals for embracing the principles of corporate responsibility in their business philosophy and operations to achieve a positive impact on their stakeholders and adopt innovative sustainable solutions to pressing social challenges.Meshaimesh noted that the Qatar market witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of companies embracing CSR initiatives, which is a form of voluntary corporate self-regulation that is primarily concerned with adhering to high ethical standards to reduce business and legal risk by taking responsibility for corporate actions.CSR underpins a pillar of national sustainability strategy, an area where Qatar shines as a standout amongst emerging markets. Qatari companies are leading a rapid transformation in the landscape of corporate social responsibility transitioning from mere charitable contributions to a broader, more inclusive scope of comprehensive social responsibility initiatives, aiming at serving the community, addressing environmental issues, and enhancing sustainability.Meshaimesh underscored the increasing significance of the private sector as a key player in Qatar’s developmental trajectory, further reinforcing companies’ commitment to initiatives in both social responsibility and sustainability. The active engagement of corporations significantly enhances the strength and value of their brands, expanding their market share and boosting their sales.This realisation is now more apparent to companies than ever before. However, the need for conferences and exhibitions to address the shifts, indicators and prospects of the social responsibility sector remains crucial. This highlights the significant importance of Qatar CSR Summit especially given its substantial and wide-ranging participation.Meshaimesh said IFP is set to launch Project Qatar, which is dedicated to international construction technology and building materials from May 27 to 30 at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre (DECC).The 20th anniversary of Project Qatar marks a significant milestone for the event, which has become the biggest trade exhibition in Qatar and one of the most prominent exhibitions for construction and building materials in the Gulf region.Over the past two decades, Project Qatar has established itself as a platform for international and local companies to showcase their latest products, technologies and services to a diverse audience of industry professionals, investors and decision-makers.Since its debut in 2004, Project Qatar has played a vital role in fostering business partnerships and facilitating knowledge-sharing among industry experts. The event has consistently attracted a wide range of exhibitors from various sectors, including building materials, construction equipment, MEP services and architectural design. It has also served as a platform for government bodies to showcase their infrastructure development plans and initiatives, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest industry trends, regulations and policies.He added that Project Qatar is one of the region’s most renowned and best-attended construction exhibitions, connecting Qatar and GCC’s top buyers with suppliers from around the world. The event attracts key influencers and industry leaders looking for the most up-to-date technology and state-of-the-art equipment available on the market.Remarkably, Qatar’s post-2022 FIFA World Cup projects market has witnessed an unprecedented surge, with the latest data from MEED Projects index revealing an impressive total projects’ value of $126.6bn, comprising $67.1bn in projects currently underway and an additional $59.5bn in pre-execution phases, spanning various sectors including construction, energy, electricity, water and transportation.Moreover, the robust growth trajectory of ongoing and planned projects in the local market has seen a significant increase to $217.18bn by the end of 2023, signifying substantial progress from the $203.29bn recorded in 2022.Meshaimesh also anticipated a resurgence in Qatar’s projects market, driven by the momentum of major tenders with a total value of up to QR76.2bn intended to be implemented in 2024 by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), and the country’s health sector represented by the Ministry of Public Health, the Hamad Medical Corporation, the Primary Health Care Corporation and Naufar, in addition to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.Ashghal’s 116 tenders will have a value of QR59bn, while the 279 offered by Kahramaa amount to QR8.9bn. The health sector plans to launch a total of 1,710 public tenders with a value of about QR7bn, while the Ministry of Education and Higher Education revealed 297 tenders with a total value of QR1.3bn and the Ministry of Municipality revealed 145 public tenders.Meshaimesh announced that the ninth edition of the Qatar Hospitality Exhibition will take place at DECC from November 12 to 14. The exhibition promises a multifaceted experience, blending insightful conferences, training programmes and competitions, along with a business matchmaking programme bringing together key players in the industry to market their products and services to potential buyers and investors.The event provides a valuable opportunity for local and international companies interested in Qatar’s hospitality sector to explore new business prospects. Hospitality Qatar offers a platform for suppliers in the hospitality industry to connect with key decision-makers and buyers from top hotels, restaurants and F&B outlets in Qatar.The exhibition features leading suppliers of equipment, technology and services for the hospitality industry, providing a unique opportunity for networking and business development. Classified as one of the most reputable hospitality exhibitions in the Gulf region, HQ 2024 provides an unparalleled opportunity to take part in Qatar’s economic boom, enabling exhibitors to become major players in the country’s exponentially growing hospitality and franchise investment market.Meshaimesh also highlighted that Doha has been designated as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, further establishing Qatar’s leading position in worldwide tourism.Qatar Tourism has announced a remarkable increase in tourism, welcoming over 4mn visitors in 2023, marking a five-year high, complemented by the unveiling of an impressive line-up of over 80 unique year-round events for 2024.According to research from Knight Frank, Qatar’s hospitality market will achieve record growth in the number of hotel rooms rising from 39,233 rooms to over 56,000 hotel rooms by 2025, with additional investments totalling $7bn.