Qatar- HE Energy Minister Opens International Cement Conference 

(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohamed Bin Saleh Al-Sada inaugurated here on Monday the 10th International Cement Trade and Industry Conference (INTERCEM).

The event ,held at the Doha Sheraton Hotel today,is organized by Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) and runs for two days.

The QNCC's Board of Directors' Chairman and Managing Director Salem Butti Al-Nuaimi , said in his opening session address that the conference and the associated exhibition aim at discussing matters related to the cement trade, industry, transportation and circulation the matter which would further upgrading and advancing the cement related technologies and push forward the develeopment projects .

The conference, is being held amid a crucial stage in which the world economy is hopefully excpected to surpass the negative impact of the global financial crisis , said Butti Al Nuaimi adding the conference also is coinciding with qatar's pursuit to complete its remarkable progress with the hosting of the 2022 World Cup to be the first Arab country to host such a world sports event.

During the conference , the participants will discuss a number of issues related to the cement industry and the upcoming challenges, specially in light of tightening environmental laws limiting the establishment of new cement factories.

Additionally, it addresses different topics including the effect of construction and infrastructure projects amid the renaissance the country is witnessing as well as the impetus the 2022 FIFA World Football Cup competition will add to an already dynamic construction market and its impact on cement demand.

Cement industry experts from over 12 countries are expected to participate in the conference which will look at the cement and construction markets of Qatar and the other major regional economies, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. There will also be country reviews of Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iran, and North Africa.

The conference will showcase Nigeria as a model case study in examination of its success in achieving self-sufficiency in terms of its local market cement needs.

An exhibition on the sidelines of INTERCEM will be held by over 25 leading companies in the sector on a local, regional, and international level. INTERCEM was previously held in Doha in 2009.