RAMY SALAMA

DOHA THE number of French exhibitors in Project Qatar has doubled. The French pavilion this year was organised by Ubifrance, the French Agency for Export Promotion.

Jean-Francois le Borgne, Project Manager for the Building and Construction industry of Ubifrance, told Qatar Tribune that “before this year, our presence was based on a different formula, that of independent exhibitors. This year we’ve managed to multiply the number of exhibitors, basically doubled our presence and we’re very happy with this outcome.” He further said, the contacts we’ve signed are very useful.

We’ve even had some interest from people who are not too familiar with this market. For instance, one who is manufacturing dolls, and we’ve taken an order from him which we’re excited about.” Discussing the activities of French companies in Qatar, le Borgne added that “we’ve got two big French contractors in Qatar working in joint ventures in Lusail. I actually went to see it today and its very impressive, very big. They’re working on building parking structures as well as the LRT system, the public transport system in Lusail.” “We’re already planning to come back next year, and maybe with a bit more space and some more participants.

We also hope to work on new projects in the future. We’ve got 42 different companies here, some of which have an interest in underground trains, hotels and the interests are very wide among our participants. I have to say that we’ve felt quite welcome in this country, and I think its going to go very well, and of course the diplomatic ties between France and Qatar are very good. We should do very good business together,” le Borgne said.

The pavilion’s success can also in part be attributed to Qatar’s thriving construction industry. “While we’ve been active in Qatar for more than ten years now, there are many new projects coming and I would like to strengthen our position here,” stated Serge Rayvere, MENA sales manager of Atlantic International.

Jean-Luc Lambert, sales director for Adler technologies said that “this is our company’s first participation in a trade fair in Qatar.

Why now? Because the market is very good for us – in the next decade there will be a World Cup, among other major events, and we hope to find a place for us in the projects planned.”