3 March 2015
ZAWYA
Manateq – the foremost developer and operator of Qatar’s new economic zones and projects that offer world-class business environments to the Qatari private sector – has pushed further forward into its mandate as it held another groundbreaking ceremony, this time for the Um Alhoul special economic zone project.
Leading State, company officials and dignitaries at the ceremony were His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Commerce of Qatar Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, and Mr. Fahad Rashid Al-Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer of Manateq.
Um Alhoul is a 33.52 kmĀ² light manufacturing zone that adjoins Hamad Port, just south of Wakrah. To take full advantage of its key features, this area has been designed to cater to businesses involved in Petrochemicals, Building Materials, Maritime, Metals, Logistics, Food Processing and Others (Auto, Tools and Machinery) and features a dedicated canal to accommodate marine related industries. Accordingly, land allocation for investors at Um Alhoul will be received by the third quarter of 2015, while lands for the first development phase will be delivered to investors in the second quarter of 2016.
“This groundbreaking ceremony of Um Alhoul special economic zone is testament to the firm resolve and unwavering commitment of the State of Qatar towards a strategically and fully diversified economy,” said His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed. “The goals, objectives and aspirations of this great nation have all been clearly defined in the National Vision 2030 Plan, which focuses on four pillars: Human, Social, Economic and Environmental Development. Accordingly, Manateq ‘s projects have all been designed to meet these pillars.
“We therefore congratulate Mr. Al-Kaaabi for his leadership and the rest of the Manateq staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the company’s mandate, which has then resulted in this momentous groundbreaking ceremony for Um Alhoul,” he added. “Henceforth, I look forward to its full completion, the efficient delivery of world-class facilities and services and the successful and thriving operations of home-grown, locally-based businesses within these special economic zones in the future.”
For his part, Mr. Al-Kaabi commented: “Today marks another significant milestone in the history of Manateq as we break ground into the second special economic zone, after Ras Bufontas, that the company has been tasked with to develop and operate. In our relentless and unwavering pursuit of a vision to create a future with sustained growth for everyone by making it easier for companies to do business, providing access to growing markets, using resources wisely, supporting diversification, and caring for the environment, we have completed the design phase of Um Alhoul and are now ready to fully implement our plan.
“These achievements would not have been possible without the full support of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar; His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani; and His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce,” he added. “Therefore, on behalf of the entire Manateq family, I wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the visionary leaders of the State of Qatar for their steadfast and continued guidance and inspiration to earnestly, efficiently and effectively fulfil our mandate to, not just physically deliver the projects, but to offer the finest, world-class quality products and services that will help businesses achieve their goals, and for us to positively and significantly contribute to the attainment of the aspirations set forth in Qatar’s National Vision 2030 Plan.”
About Manateq
Manateq – (Economic Zones Company) is a shareholding company established by the Minister of Business and Trade of the State of Qatar under decision No. 272 in the year 2011. Chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, Manateq is owned by the Qatari Government represented by Qatar’s Authority for SMEs.
With a portfolio of 3 Specialized Economic Zones in Qatar, MANATEQ, aims at providing world-class infrastructure that will facilitate the development of the private sector and the Small and medium industries and enterprises, as well as to playing a vital part in the realization of the country’s overall economic growth and diversification strategy and in nurturing the local knowledge economy, an essential component towards the achievement of one of the key pillars contained in the Qatar National Vision 2030 – Economic Development.
The company’s mandate covers various key locations that offer an integrated range of services, they have been clearly clustered to provide infrastructure and services that cater to specific industries and business sectors, ensuring the right conditions for smooth, long-term operations for clients, and the opportunity for excellent returns are facilitated.
MANATEQ promotes ease of doing business by offering World class infrastructure, advanced local and international connectivity and transport network, a streamlined processes for business establishment and a ‘one stop shop’ for all establishment and operation needs, an advanced customer service and support, facilitated access to equity and loan financing, and finally a lucrative duty free zone offerings for Foreign investments.
Courtesy of SWAYA