USD 230 million deals signed at QSi expo

Attending the ceremony with HE Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al Thani was HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of QNOC, and Ahmed Al Ansari of the Sports Facilities & Infrastructure Department.

The first contract to be signed was awarded to Marbu Contracting for the development of the Al Sadd Club, phase one. The value amounts to QR300 million (US $84 million) and was signed on behalf of Marbu by their Managing Director, Mr Ali Al Hakeem.

Tadmur Contracting were the successful recipients of a contract worth QR106.5 million (US $30 million) for the first phase of development at the Al Arabi Sports Club. Signing on behalf of Tadmur was Chief Operating Officer, Dafer Mustafa Hullawa.

HE Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al Thani awarded the next contract on behalf of QNOC to International Trading & Contracting Co. part of the Salam International Group. The contract relates to the development of the Qatar Sports Club with a value of QR 80 million (US $ 23 million). Signing on behalf of the Salam International group was Hussam Abu Issa, Vice Chairman & COO.
The final signing was with Al Attiyah Contracting & Trading Co, (ALCAT), for the second phase of development at the Al Wusayl Shooting Range. Signing for the QR90 million (US $ 25 million) contract was ALCAT's General Manager, Mr George Daniel.

After just two days of the Qatar Sports International exhibition, contracts worth in excess of US $230 million have already been signed with another two days business to go. "The QSi expo has already generated nearly five times the value of business transacted at the previous show in 2002", said Perry Smith, QSi's Director of International Relations.

Monday's major award was the massive US$70million deal signed between QNOC and Tracy Edwards for the sponsorship of two formula one yachting races, the Oryx Cup and the Quest. Sports deals have also been struck with the marketing rights for this year's GCC Cup going to QSi, expected to be worth several million dollars.

Ms Virginia Kern, Chairman of the expo's organisers Fairs & Exhibitions Ltd, said that this year's show is at least 20% bigger than the first show in 2002 with 235 participating companies from 33 countries. "It's very exciting to see the show used as a platform for such important business transactions, it really underlines the commitment Qatar is making to all sports facilities and the long term benefit of the local community."

Keen interest from French & British groups
At a press conference held at QSi, the French Agency for International Business Development, UBI France, represented by Mr Christian Possot, French trade commissioner, stated that their pavilion was 60% larger than at the first QSi show. UBI France have 14 leading French companies on their stand from event organisers to sophisticated IT and security providers. The participating companies include Catevent, Dirickx, ECA2, Elite Limousines, Gerflor, GL Events, IREC, Lippi La Cloture, Monnaie de Paris, Sport France, Stratinor, Tarkett and Thales.

The UK Trade & Investment pavilion too have reported substantial interest and held meetings with officials from both QNOC and the Doha Asian Games organizing committee. Following an official visit to the UK by DAGOC representatives earlier in the year, the British group are optimistic that their services will be employed during the Asian Games in 2006. Participating on the British stand are 14 companies including Unusual Rigging, Unusual Services, Imagination, Rola-Trac, Power Logistics, Fourth Phase, Global Infusion, Thorns Group, Arena Seating, PKL Group, Delta Sound, TFCN Europe, Avesco Group and Backstage Ltd.