Business & Money | Tuesday 11 August, 2015 3:40 pm |

Top Qatar companies and stakeholders are lending their support to the MEED Qatar Transport Forum. This forum, endorsed by H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior in Qatar and hosted by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) will take place at the Sheraton Resort Doha on 14-16 September.

Qatar’s Minister of Transport H.E. Jassim Bin Saif Al Sulaiti will deliver the forum’s opening address about Qatar’s evolving transport market and the ministry’s key role in delivering a world-class transport system.

Other supporters include Qatar Rail, which is overseeing the construction of Qatar’s multi-billion dollar state-of-the-art integrated rail network. This comprises three major projects: the Doha Metro, the Lusail Light Rail Transit network and the long-distance passenger and freight network which will be connected to the GCC railway.

Qatar National Bank (QNB), the Middle East’s largest bank in terms of assets, is also backing the forum. The bank is the leading source of finance for transport and other major projects in Qatar.

Chairman of Qatar Development Bank, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani, will deliver an address on behalf of the bank which aims to promote the shift of Qatar’s economy from dependence upon hydrocarbons by promoting a robust and diversified private sector. Sheikh Abdullah is also the governor of Qatar Central Bank (QCB).

Qatar Transport Forum 2015 will highlight plans, initiatives and projects such as the Hamad Port, New Doha International Airport (NDIASC), Qatar Ports (MAWANI), Karwa, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and Civil Aviation College.

“…the forum will provide a platform for the Ministry of Transport to encourage local investors to establish processing, manufacturing, and logistics industries in the country, in order to cater for the needs of regional and international markets,” the Ministry of Transport said in a statement earlier in July. “The forum will also be an exceptional opportunity for local, regional, and international businesses, project managers, technology providers, and industry experts to enter the Qatari market, display their expertise and view investment opportunities in the Qatari transport sector.”

The Ministry of Transport said it aims to showcase international transport systems adopted by Qatar while encouraging local industries to transform Qatar into a regional marketing hub.

“We are delighted that so many leading and successful Qatari companies and government agencies are participating in the MEED Qatar Transport Forum,” says MEED Events chairman Edmund O’Sullivan. “They will ensure that it will be the definitive forum and networking event for all those wishing to participate in the development and efficient operation of some of the world’s largest new transport projects.”

Sponsors include J&P, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Development Bank, UrbaCon Trading & Contracting and Atkins.