The Qatari publicly shared company has five subsidiaries that are closely involved in the construction sector and are currently engaged in a number of projects in the country.

"Qatar is now establishing itself as a regional player. Its rapid economic boom is most evident in the industrial and construction sector," comments Nadine Fattaleh, marketing manager of SIIL. "Another important factor is the 15th Asian Games which Qatar is set to host in 2006, providing a platform for a flood of new challenging projects to descend upon Qatar - all of which will have to be completed in a relatively short period of time."

"SIIL, with its varied portfolio of companies and their many specialisations, is rising to the challenge and is confident of securing a number of high-profile projects," she adds.

SIIL last year took a landmark decision to merge with a group of private companies currently operating in Qatar and the UAE.

Its various subsidiaries undertake a wide variety of activities from construction to trading, marketing to manufacturing and the provision of services to the oil and gas industries. They also represent many internationally-renowned companies.

The construction sector and related works are represented by Alu Nasa, Qatar Gardens, Salam Industries, Gulf Industries and International Trading and Contracting Company (ITC) with its two divisions.

ITC's Contracting Division is a Grade 'A' general contractor, which specialises in project management and construction of sizeable commercial, industrial and residential projects in Qatar. It has recently completed the construction of six modern design schools and is currently involved in pricing and negotiating to take on some government and private projects. It is also eyeing some of the associated works on the new Hamad Medical City.

Alu Nasa is one of the leading companies in Qatar in the design, fabrication and installation of aluminium cladding, curtain-walling, skylights, aluminium doors and windows, roller shutters, grills, overhead doors and automatic sliding and revolving doors. Its association with the renowned international supplier of aluminium systems Installux has proven to be a huge success over the years, she says. Current projects include the provision of curtain-wall, cladding and stainless steel handrails for Doha International Airport, 2,300 sq m of curtain wall for the new Bilal Suites building, 3,500 sq m of curtain-wall for the new Holiday Inn Hotel in central Doha and 6,000 sq m of curtain wall, 16,000 sq m of aluminium cladding and stainless steel handrails for the new Gulf Tower in the West Bay area of Doha.

Qatar Gardens specialises in landscape design and development, construction, maintenance, irrigation systems and nurseries, garden furniture and accessories. Examples of its works can be seen all over Doha, including at Khalifa Stadium, the national football and athletics stadium, where Qatar Gardens has carried out the installation of the irrigation systems, re-grassing and previously maintained the football field. Other projects include works at Ras Laffan Golf Course and the maintenance of six Grade A football fields that include Al Saad, Al Ahli and Al Arabi football fields.

SIIL is also active in the interiors sector. Its longstanding member Salam Industries is a leading interior decorator and furniture manufacturer in the region known for its superior quality turnkey projects, says Fattaleh.

Salam Industries has undertaken many upmarket residences as well as commercial projects. Major recent projects include complete joinery and architectural millworks for The Ritz Carlton, Doha, complete interior fit-out of the executive floors of the new Qatar National Olympic building, custom furniture for the Club Floor lounge of the Hotel Intercontinental Doha and the complete fit-out of the lounge and VIP areas at the new Doha Racing and Equestrian Club.

Gulf Industries for Refrigeration & Catering carries out the design, supply and fabrication of equipment for industrial kitchens, refrigeration and air-conditioning, catering, bakeries, supermarkets, cold storage rooms, laundry and dry cleaning, as well as refrigerated trucks and vans, freezers, display cabinets, railings and balustrades.

Gulf Industries' high-quality fabrication and excellent after-sales care has ensured a continuous high demand for its products, comments Fattaleh. Projects currently being undertaken include stainless steel works and handrails for the Weill Cornell Medical College, kitchen equipment installation and testing for the Bridge Arts and Science College (part of Qatar Foundation's Education City) and stainless steel and decorative works for United Cars' Al Mana Showroom.

ITC's other division, Trading, is primarily concerned with the supply and installation of specialised trading products through dealers and agent networks such as floor and wall coverings, office furniture systems, architectural hardware, sports flooring, construction building material fixings and support systems. Products represented include: Halfen-Deha support and hanging systems, MKT fixings, Schwelm Anlagenbau water recycling units and Polytan sports surfaces, all from Germany as well as Patentverwag Italia sports lockers, benches, seating and other sports hardware from Italy.

High-profile projects currently being undertaken by ITC's Trading Division include the supply and installation of various flooring materials, furniture, partitioning and architectural hardware to Al Jazeera Net, Al-Ahli Hospital, Qatar Foundation's educational buildings and many more.

"SIIL has always prided itself on the quality of the works of its diversified family of companies and is confident that it will continue to grow and prosper along with Qatar," Fattaleh concludes.