The second instalment of the “Made in China” exhibition slated for this November in Qatar is expected to increase the number of commercial transactions between Qatari and Chinese companies, and exceed the QR45mn deals signed last year, an official of the Qatar Chamber has said.
This year’s exhibition will host around 300 Chinese companies inside a 15,000 sqm floor area compared to the previous edition, which only had 8,000 sqm, according to QC director general Saleh Hamad al-Sharqi.
“With a larger exhibition area and more companies participating this year, the number of commercial transactions is expected to triple,” said al-Sharqi yesterday during a press conference announcing “Made in China” 2016 from November 15 to 18 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).
At the press conference, al-Sharqi was joined by Tian Guofeng, director of the Exhibition Department of the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges, and Abdulrahim Hasan Naqi, secretary general of the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FGCC Chambers).
Al-Sharqi announced that more than 60% of the total area is already booked, but noted that major Chinese companies have assured their participation in this year’s exhibition, which will showcase more sectors compared to the previous edition.
“For the first time, there will be a special area for exhibiting the Qatari and Chinese ‘folkloric industries’ and handicrafts to establish cultural proximity between the peoples of both countries, especially that this year we will witness the activities of the Qatari-Chinese Cultural Year,” al-Sharqi explained. Al-Sharqi stressed that the “great leap that Qatar is witnessing in various fields” has transformed the country into a destination for many international investors and companies. 
“The chamber recognises the importance of holding more editions of the exhibition to serve the Qatari business sector by introducing more Chinese products, creating efficient partnerships between the Qatari businessmen and the exhibiting companies, and exchanging and sharing knowledge and expertise, in addition to transferring and utilising China’s advanced technology into Qatar’s mega projects,” he said.
Al-Sharqi said the QC’s focus on China “stems from its experience in achieving economic development” and because it “encourages every country to build bridges of co-operation.” “China also motivates the global business community to explore more economic sectors, seek co-operation, and establish investments with Chinese businessmen because it has a large promising market that can accommodate all commercial and economic activities,” al-Sharqi said.