International design firms specialising in the manufacture and export of interior products have reasserted their belief that Qatar is on the verge of becoming one of the world’s most affluent hubs for furniture and décor, ahead of gathering in Doha this November.

The inaugural INDEX Qatar interiors exhibition will unite thousands of local, Middle Eastern and global design minds for three days of showcasing and networking, including some of the most influential manufacturers and suppliers of bespoke furnishings.

Pictured: Qatar’s interior and fit-out contracting spend will have registered 15 to 20 per cent growth by the turn of the year, with mass regeneration meaning more is being spent per head of population across the combined commercial, hospitality, residential, retail, medical and education interiors markets in Qatar than anywhere else in the GCC. Ujjwal Goel (middle) will be exhibiting with La Sorogeeka at INDEX Qatar in November

INDEX will be Qatar’s biggest ever event of its kind, and arrives at a time of major growth for the interiors industry. Forecasters predict Qatar’s interior and fit-out contracting spend will have registered 15 to 20 per cent growth by the turn of the year, with mass regeneration meaning more is being spent per head of population across the combined commercial, hospitality, residential, retail, medical and education interiors markets in Qatar than anywhere else in the GCC.

To international designers, that growing interiors spend positions Qatar as a prime market.

Ujjwal Goel

Ujjwal Goel is director at luxury Indian furniture brand La Sorogeeka, who will be attending INDEX Qatar along with other renowned global firms such as Jotun, Mezzaluna, Seasons Accessories Inc, Cristal de Paris and Stil Décor.

He said: “Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. There is a lot of development happening at this point in time. Compared to the rest of the GCC, I believe there is a scarcity of good quality designers and contractors. That is an opportunity that La Sorogeeka sees, hence we’re looking to extend our reach into that market.

“With the FIFA World Cup coming up in 2022, there is a lot of development which is there for tapping from all vendors from all over the world. INDEX gives us that opportunity to put our foot in the door. Qatar has a great potential for quality contractors.

“We’ve been working in Qatar for over the last decade and since we want to expand operations we feel that INDEX is the perfect place to help with that. We want to meet a lot of new clients and get a foot in the door. We are confident the show will attract the talent from the market –

the designers, architects and other industry professionals – to come and see the works of vendors from across the globe.”

Qatar’s building surge ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup has sparked a boom in interior design spend across the Gulf. In the last year alone, the GCC’s fit-out market has grown by more than US$2.2billion, and is now estimated at being worth $17.7billion-per-annum. Qatar’s own interior design and fit-out industry is already valued at almost $3bn-a-year and growing.

In terms of spend-per-head of population, the state is currently seeing an annual sum of $78 being spent for every resident on commercial interiors and their fit-out – almost double that of nearest rival Kuwait ($46). Across 2016 /17, Qatar will have invested $488-per-person on retail projects, more than double that of the UAE ($227), with a further $909-per-head being put into the development of hospitals. In terms of contrast, Saudi Arabia – the second biggest investor in the region – is spending just $95. Qatar again leads the way in regards to money being invested in educational facilities and their interior fit-out, with a $280-per-head-spend.

INDEX Qatar will gather hundreds of international product manufacturers and interior design firms at the Doha Exhibition & Conference Centre from November 13^th to 15^th. The overriding aim of the three-days is to bring together those responsible for fitting out the vast portfolio of ongoing new-builds and renovations with international manufacturers and furniture, furnishing and décor suppliers.

Jaafar Shubber, INDEX Qatar event director, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the renowned INDEX brand to Qatar at a time when the opportunities could not be greater for quality design and architecture.

“The growth Qatar is currently experiencing is only the beginning of what will be a huge window of opportunity for the entire design community, both on a local and international scale. It comes as no surprise to us that our exhibitors are as enthused as they are about taking part in November’s show and reaping the rewards of Qatar’s widespread development and regeneration.”

INDEX Qatar is expected to attract thousands of interior designers, architects, project managers, importers and distributers from the full spectrum of retail, hospitality, residential and commercial design.

To register to attend for free, visit www.index-qatar.com