Doha, May 26 (QNA) - Project Qatar 2025 kicked off at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) on Monday, under the theme “Innovation & Sustainability: Qatar's Path to 2030,” with the participation of 200 local and international companies.

This year's four-day edition is witnessing distinguished international participation, most notably that of the delegation of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires. Argentina Republic is participating as the country of honour under the umbrella of Qatar's Years of Culture initiative, in addition to businessmen delegations representing approximately 80 international companies from around the world.

Commenting on Argentina's participation, HE Hernan Lombardi, Minister of Economic Development of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, which is leading the delegation, said: “Argentina is participating with a delegation of emerging tech companies in search of exciting opportunities for cooperation, across many economic sectors. These initiatives will further strengthen ties between Qatar and Argentina, building deeper connections between our nations and people."

Also on the international front, Project Qatar is hosting this year the Nile Property Expo, the most prominent international real estate investment exhibition focused on the Egyptian market that is held annually outside Egypt. This year marks the 15th edition of the expo, making its debut in Doha.

Haidar Mshaimesh, General Manager of IFP Qatar, the event's organizer, said that the 21st edition of Project Qatar marks a major shift in sectoral diversity, with emerging sectors such as smart manufacturing, sustainable construction, and digital innovation in the construction industry now taking centre stage—reflecting commitment to attracting foreign investment and expertise to support ongoing and future projects. Project Qatar aims to enhance partnerships between Qatari and international companies through strategic collaboration with global organizations, drawing exhibitors and visitors from key international markets and facilitating cross-border cooperation and joint ventures.

He emphasized that the exhibition's evolving composition has kept pace with shifts in the construction industry and broader economic trends; while it once primarily attracted companies linked to construction and building materials, over the past 20 years it has expanded to incorporate sectors tied to advanced technology, sustainable solutions, and smart manufacturing practices.

This year's edition features a dedicated “Qatar Smart Manufacturing Exhibition,” which serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge Industry 4.0 (4IR) technologies, supporting the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy 2024–2030, aimed at localizing manufacturing, enhancing self-sufficiency, and attracting global industrial partnerships.

Exhibitors will showcase innovations in automation, robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), smart logistics, sustainable production systems, and digital industrial transformation, all contributing to Qatar's ambition to strengthen its local manufacturing sector and integrate advanced technology across industrial projects in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

In line with this year's theme, “Innovation & Sustainability: Qatar's Path to 2030,” Project Qatar presents a comprehensive and dynamic conference agenda spanning four days. The program includes a diverse lineup of interventions, panel discussions, and workshops, bringing together over 70 experts and speakers from both the public and private sectors.

The conference agenda's first day highlights several highly significant sessions, including a session showcasing Ashghal's modern methods of construction journey; a session on BIM implementation in Qatar infrastructure projects and the path towards AI-driven smart cities; a panel discussion on harnessing AI for innovation and efficiency in construction; and concluding with an exclusive session by the International Labour Organization (ILO) focused on advancing decent work and sustainability in Qatar.

On the second day, sessions will delve into innovative manufacturing for a sustainable future, covering topics such as streamlining supply chains, revolutionizing quality control with AI-powered vision systems, Carbon Capture (CCS) technology for maritime industry, the clean heat revolution for industry, and more.

On the third day of the conference, an exclusive session will highlight the Qatar-Argentina Years of Culture initiative, featuring key representatives from Qatar's Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires.

This session will explore critical topics including energy efficiency AI-agent, unlocking satellite intelligence for safer cities and critical Infrastructure, sustainable low-tech water filters, and more. Additionally, an exclusive session in partnership with UNESCO will address the green economy and the skills for green economy in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.

The conference will conclude on its fourth day with a strong focus on nurturing young talents and next generation of innovators. The first session, held in partnership with Qatar University, will showcase projects by a select group of students and emerging talents, including elevating sustainable air quality monitoring, reimagining AI, future packaging concepts, smart waste management, and more.

The second session, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, will provide a platform for Qatari startups to present their innovations in enterprise technology, streamlining real estate operations and finances, as well as transforming spaces with AI and immersive technology, and more. (QNA)