Twenty-two Qatari companies working in the construction sector took part in the 20th edition of Building and Construction Materials International Exhibition (BATIMATEC), which was held in Algeria from April 23 to 27. 
According to a statement issued by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) on Saturday, the Qatari participation in BATIMATEC came through the support of its export program, Tasdeer, in its drive to open new regional and international markets to local companies in the Qatari private sector. 
Commenting on the latest exhibition, Executive Director for Tasdeer Hassan Busherbak Al Mansouri said that the active participation with 22 Qatari construction sector companies at BATIMATEC 2017 marks the first attendance at this regionally renowned series, aiming at strengthening their cooperation with interested parties, particularly those based in Africa, a thriving market for quality infrastructure and real estate projects, which allows companies to access new markets, contribute to the growth of African cities and become valued solution-providers in the vital building materials and construction sectors. 
Tasdeer had extended invitations of participation to 62 local companies and sent 63 product reports (as per the Harmonized System code) to businesses to raise awareness on the exportable goods and services in demand. Additionally, the export program had sent 19 tender requests to companies in an effort to stimulate the local private sector with business opportunities. 
Other promotional support included shipping brochures and samples of the participants’ goods to the exhibition as well as hosting preparatory meetings with participants so as to educate them on the market in Africa and its best practices for optimum interaction with the visitors and interested parties at the exhibition. 
The latest participation of Tasdeer at BATIMATEC was preceded by a thorough 5-month research study conducted on the Algerian market to help Qatar’s native ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) gage a better understanding on how to develop its export strategy. In its efforts to help Qatar diversify its conventional sources of income from the oil and gas sector, Tasdeer also facilitates the access of non-hydrocarbon sector SMEs to global markets and emerging markets by bringing trade leads for importing and exporting to Qatari enterprises as well as supporting participation in international trade shows, workshops, exhibitions, and networking events. The program makes powerful information tools available to exporters, including country-specific case studies, analytics, and business directories. 
BATIMATEC is one of the most recognized exhibitions of the construction industry on a regional scale, making it the largest forum for professional discourse and cooperation on developments in the construction industry. This year, the event enjoyed the participation of more than 1,000 companies from 25 countries. Furthermore, the exhibition venue, which measured approximately 44,000 m2, hosted exhibitors’ latest construction equipment and building materials. 
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) was first established in 1997 as Qatar Industrial Development Bank (QIDB) in a fundamental step to expanding Qatar’s indigenous industrial infrastructure. The aim of the 100% government-owned developmental organization was to develop investments within local industries, thereby accelerating growth and economic diversification of the private sector in Qatar. 

Source: QNA