Manateq is now accepting inquiries for world-scale economic zones

Manateq is now accepting inquiries from potential locators and investors for two of its three world-class special economic zones, an official has said.Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Qatari French Business Club, Manateq business development manager Adel Waly said the company promises world-class standards for its economic zones.Manateq, which was established in 2011 by the Minister of Business and Trade, has three special economic zones under its wing and were geared to facilitate private sector growth and promote manufacturing in downstream heavy and light industries. The zones include the 4.01sq km Ras Bufontas, Um Alhoul (33.52sq km), which broke ground in March 2015, and Al Karaana (48sq km), the largest of all three, which is expected to provide opportunities to grow specialised industries and logistics zone.Waly said Ras Bufontas was the first special economic zone to be developed by Manateq. He noted that Manateq has started taking inquiries and is expected to accommodate companies after the completion of Phase 1 in 2017. Ras Bufontas’ Phase 3 is expected in 2019, he added.For both Ras Bufontas and Um Alhoul, Waly said companies can start making inquiries on Manateq’s website.According to Waly, Manateq is waiting for HH the Emir to pass a law that would grant 100% ownership for international companies in Manateq special economic zones.“This will give market stability and growth potential in the future,” Waly stressed.In a previous interview with Gulf Times, Manateq CEO Fahad Rashid al-Kaabi said Ras Bufontas’ “strategic proximity” to Hamad International Airport makes it an “ideal location for Qatar’s advanced technology and logistics businesses.”During the groundbreaking of Um Alhoul last year, al-Kaabi said the economic zone will enhance Qatar’s logistic and storage facilities. The groundbreaking ceremony was led by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani in the presence of HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani and al-Kaabi among other dignitaries.“Major players and stakeholders in the private sector are looking forward to the immediate development of the Um Alhoul Special Economic Zone, which is expected to address issues such as logistics and storage, specifically in Qatar’s industrial sector,” al-Kaabi explained.Um Alhoul stands as a light manufacturing zone and was designed to cater for petrochemicals (downstream and plastics), which will comprise 6.5% of the area; building materials (non-bulk), 5.2%; maritime onshore logistics, 3.9%; metal (downstream), 3.9%, food processing, 0.8%; transportation and automotive, 1.8%; tools, machinery, and others, 3.9%; and logistics.For Ras Bufontas, the zone will consist of facilities and services that are ideal for clean manufacturing, supply chain and service activities in high value added sectors such as information and communications technology (ICT), electronics, alternative energy, healthcare, building systems, and aviation.In addition, Ras Bufontas will incorporate residential and commercial sectors, including a global marketplace offering showrooms and wholesale and retail space for duty-free shopping.The total project area is divided into ICT, 1.4%; healthcare, 0.3%; energy and environment, 0.5%; logistics, 0.3%; global warehouse, 0.5%; and high-tech, 0.3%.