(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) The Middle East Geospatial Forum 2012 has launched its proceedings and exhibition at the Qatar Exhibition Center organized by Trebmal in partnership with the Center of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) operated by Qatar Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning.
The forum, held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa Al Thani, is considered as one of the most anticipated events in the geographical information field in the region particularly because it attracts a number of prominent personalities and institutions specialized in this field.
Experts from all over the world attend the forum's proceedings to discuss the latest geospatial technology applications of concern to a myriad of sectors including defense, municipality, oil, gas, aviation and planning institutions, and real estate companies as well as spatial solution professionals. The forum's exhibition represents an opportunity for exposure to the latest products and technology in the geospatial field.
The forum and exhibition provide an opportunity for exchanges of knowledge and experience between participants and showcase the latest technical and practical trends in the geographical information field on the backdrop of the participation of major companies in the event this year, said Undersecretary Assistant for Planning Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning Eng. Ali Al-Abdullah.
Qatar is a pioneering nation in geographical information systems as the Qatar Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning operates its own specialized center in the field, Eng. Al-Abdullah asserted in a press statement following his opening of the forum and exhibition. He indicated that a large number of governmental and non-governmental institutions are associated with the center and benefit from the information and practices made available by it.
Qatar Municipality Head Eng. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sayed on his turn also addressed the inauguration ceremony saying that hosting the forum in Doha for the second year in a row indicates Qatar's interest in the geospatial field which attracts numerous prominent personalities and institutions exhibiting the latest in this vital field.
He added that Qatar was among the first countries in applying geographical information systems on a comprehensive national level, achieving a regional and international reputation, specially with its GIS center.
The center offers its services to different Qatari institutions, with sixteen governmental organizations using geographical information systems in day-to-day work in connection with a high speed fiber optics network, Al-Sayed pointed out . This is in addition to practical applications developed for the benefit of the public and private sector as well as the general public, he remarked.
The forum's exhibition features many participants from the government sector which use geographical information systems as it showcases the most important practices in the field. Firms also present trends in geospatial information systems.