The first International Motor Show in Qatar, scheduled to take place from the 26th to the 29th of January at the Doha Exhibitions Center, is set to be one of the biggest events in the Gulf region. Sure there’s the whole range of big and small brands attending the show, but they’ve also made it particularly interesting by bringing in the very best of Italian bespoke car makers with the very finest of their concept cars. That include Pininfarina and Bertone with their fantastic Alfa Romeo Pandion. Those names alone can make any motor show a very interesting event!

The list of exhibitors along with a transcript of the official press conference after the jump.

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), q.media and Qatar Holding LLC, held a joint press conference to announce details of the First International Edition of the Qatar Motor Show, and provide information on their roles and the different activities that will take place during the show. The event is the first of its kind in the region, with international standards and international direct participation from some of the industry’s most important names.

The four-day show, scheduled to take place from the 26th to the 29th of January at the Doha Exhibitions Center, is held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and organized by QTA in partnership with q.media events and GL Events.

HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar

The press conference, which took place at the Doha Exhibitions Center, was attended by Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority; H.E Sheikh Alhussain Bin Ali Bin Ahmed Al-Thani, CEO of q. media; and Mr. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Managing Director and CEO of Qatar Holding (QH) – the main sponsor of the Qatar Motor Show.

Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of QTA expressed his optimism about the success of the event and its positive impact on tourism for Qatar.

“Qatar has been greatly successful in making significant investments in sports and in bringing sports-related events that will leave a huge impact on the sports scene in general.

“Qatar Tourism Authority is excited to bring the Qatar Motor Show in its first international edition to Doha, as another great achievement for Qatar and the region. The positive impact of the exhibition has been already reflected with the exhibition being fully-booked six months prior to the opening of the event,” said Mr. Al Nuaimi.

“Hosting this exhibition is part our vision and strategy to attract and promote domestic and regional tourism, while shedding the light on Qatar’s touristic attractions,” he added.

H.E Sheikh Alhussain Bin Ali Bin Ahmed Al-Thani, explained the benefits of bringing and hosting such events to Qatar’s market and its role in establishing Qatar as a platform for thought-leadership in the region by bringing together the biggest and most important names in the industry.  Also he dedicated a special thanks to the partners and the sponsors of the event.

“Our objective in organizing the show was to bring a truly rich and multi-faceted event to Qatar and to the region,” said H.E. Sheikh Alhussain Bin Ali Bin Ahmed Al-Thani.

He continued:  “We are delighted to be part of this prestigious event, as it is part of our strategy to bring world class events that will help establish Qatar’s position as a leading destination for international conventions and exhibitions.”

Mr. Ahmad Al Sayed, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Holding (QH) also addressed the media:  “We are proud in Qatar Holding to be announced as the main sponsor of the first Qatar Motor Show and we look forward to Qatar hosting more and more international events of this scale.??”
Mr. Al Sayed added:  “Qatar Holding is a main investor in Volkswagen and Porsche SE and has invested in very critical time, proving its solid support. We are working closely with our partners to derive additional value from the Memorandum of Understanding signed with VW, PSE and Qatar Science & Technology Park to work together in the creation of a Research and Development center. Such collaboration reiterates our effort to create other benefits for the State of Qatar’s economy and society. In sponsoring the Qatar Motor Show, we hope once more to generate both commercial and social value.”
The Qatar Motor Show kicks off with the 1st Middle East Automotive Summit on 26 January, which will bring together industry leaders and specialists in the field of motor production to discuss the future of mobility and the automobile industry.  Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chief Executive of Volkswagen Group, will be a keynote speaker at the inaugural summit.
The Qatar Motor Show is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors, who will have the opportunity to see both regional and world premier reveals by some of the world’s most well-known auto makers, as well as enjoy the different interactive activities and outdoor programs being organized during the exhibition.
QATARI DIAR and Barwa are the Diamond Sponsors of the Qatar Motor Show.

The Qatar Motor Show will open on 26 January with an official ceremony attended by H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.  The show will open to the public on 26 January from 8pm to 10pm; 27 January from 4pm to 10pm; 28 January from 2pm to 10pm and on 29 January from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm.  Entry is free.  Special times for the media have been organized on 25 January and 26 January.

For more information about the Qatar Motor Show and the program, please visit www.qatarmotorshow.gov.qa.

LIST OF EXHIBITORS

CONCEPT CARS

1. Autostudi
2. Carrozzeria Castagna
3. Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera
4. Fioravanti
5. Pininfarina
6. Salt
7. Spadaconcept
8. Stile Bertone
9. Prototipo