Qetaifan Projects, the master developer of Qetaifan Island North, signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and entered a partnership with leading companies in the UK for the development of two projects worth QR634mn (£1275mn) in Qatar.
Qetaifan Projects managing director Sheikh Nasser bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani signed the MoU with Aplomado Investments CEO Jeremy Bussey and James Van Den Heule, director at Fenton Whelan, for the establishment of a British 5-star healthcare facility and British private school, which will be located on Qetaifan Island North. International Hospitals Group (IHG) is advising the partnership in identifying the operating partner for the healthcare facility.
To contribute to the implementation and success of the new development partnership between British and Qatari companies, Aplomado Investments and Fenton Whelan are working with UK Export Finance, the UK government’s export credit agency, which is providing an export credit loan to assist with project procurement and logistics.
Located on a 6,010sq m plot, the premiere healthcare centre will provide 8,500sq m of state-of-the-art medical facilities and cutting-edge healthcare services.
The new British school will provide a 30,245sq m campus with a built-up area of 17,000sq m, comprising classrooms, main school hall, campus library with lounge areas, science and technology building, sports hall, and school canteen/restaurant.
The school’s extensive playing fields, tennis courts, and grounds will front the waters of the salt canal; envisaged in true British style, students will be able to learn Oxford/Cambridge style competitive rowing and leisurely riverboat punting on the canal. Construction of both projects will start in Q1 2022 and each will have a 24-month construction programme.
During the press conference, Sheikh Nasser was joined by Aplomado Investments UK COO Samer Malaeb, Fenton Whelan director Sanjay Sharma, British ambassador Jon Wilks, the British commercial attaché, and a delegation from the British embassy.
Qetaifan Projects board member Jamal Sharida al-Kaabi, engineers Mohamed al-Meer and Nasser al-Mawlawi, as well as Abdullah al-Ateyya, Qetaifan Projects COO Hesham Sharaf, Qetaifan Projects head of Business Development Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, Rixos Hotel Qetaifan Island North-Doha managing director Stefano Capaccetti, and Accor Middle East senior vice president Francois Baudin also attended the event.
Sharaf said, “We are working in Qetaifan Projects on the consolidation of the real estate development value chain, which in turn aims to benefit all parties, starting with the developer and ending with the investor and tenant.
“Today and after this agreement, we can say that during the past three years and since the establishment of Qetaifan Projects, our efforts have been crowned by bringing the best investment opportunities to contribute to the development of Qetaifan Island North. We are happy with this partnership and we look forward to adding more accomplishments to Qetaifan projects.”
Bussey said, “We are excited to expand our operations in Qatar. Qatar and the UK share a long history of close ties and we are thrilled to be part of its future by contributing to its 2030 vision.”
Malaeb added: “With our new project on Qetaifan Island North, we are bringing unique UK content to Qatar. At Aplomado, we believe that education and healthcare are pillars of economic growth and Qatar is well-positioned in the region to lead in these sectors, by being a regional educational and healthcare hub.”
Sharma said, “Fenton Whelan is delighted to have entered this global partnership with Qetaifan Projects to bring medical and educational facilities to Qetaifan Island North. Fenton Whelan is already building an outpatient facility at our new Park Modern development in London, and we have chosen to expand and develop in Qatar because we were captivated by the clarity of vision for Qetaifan Island North.
“This unique island destination combines entertainment attractions, residential neighbourhoods, luxurious hotels and world-class facilities creating a community and destination for tourists and local visitors alike.”
Van Den Heule added: “The new school and medical centre will provide a unique offering to the Qatari market. Fenton Whelan and its partners chose to invest and develop in Qetaifan Island North because we believe that the Qatar economy, tourism, and inward investment will continue to thrive and grow as the preparations to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup build.”
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