Qatar's SMEs to have own industrial zones

Khaleej Times

Qatar's small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) are to have their own industrial zones according to Minister of Energy and Industry, Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyah. The local Press quoted Al Attiyah as telling members of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) that a one million square metre zone had been set aside in the country's southern industrial city of Mesaieed and a second zone, four times larger, is being planned.

According to Al Attiyah, several companies involved in the manufacture of readymix, asphalt and other construction materials have already been allocated plots in the first phase. "The energy and industry ministry is laying ample emphasis on SMEs as they hold the key to making the country's strategic economic diversification plan a success," he told the QCCI.

The minister was meeting with QCCI members to address their concerns over problems facing — or perceived to be facing — the private sector. He has regularly stressed the importance of the private sector in the country's development and urged more Qataris to enter the sector, which is continuing to attract foreign investment.

Al Attiyah said his ministry had issued 192 new industrial licences during the first half of 2006, for projects with capital expenditure expected to be in the region of QR5billion. The new licences are in addition to the 486 industrial units employing 33,000 people that are already registered with the ministry.

Their collective capital, reports quoted Al Attiyah as saying, amount to QR37.7billion and their annual production QR11.6billion. QCCI members have, however, put forward a request for preferential energy rates to make Qatari companies more competitive in terms of price. They say local manufacturing units are facing increased competition from other Arab countries and also those of East Africa.

Al Attiyah said that Qatar Petroleum (QP), of which he is also the chairman, tried to ensure that private Qatari companies got a fair percentage of QP contracts. However, it is evident from the figures quoted that it is the small contracts which go to the local companies. Al Attiyah reportedly told the QCCI that of the 1,063 contracts signed by QP since 2003, 75 per cent (794) had gone to local Qatari companies.

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Japan's Marubeni to build 2.3 bln usd Qatar power plant

Forbes Magazine

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp said it had won the right to build one of the world's largest independent power producer projects in Qatar valued at 2.3 bln usd.

Marubeni will take a 40 pct stake in the thermal power plant. Qatar Electricity and Water Co will also have a 40 pct interest, with Qatar Petroleum holding the remaining 20 pct, Marubeni said.

Marubeni said it will complete construction of the plant in Mesaieed by April 2010 and will manage it for 25 years.

Marubeni said the 2,000 MW plant is one of the world's biggest so-called independent power producer projects (IPP) -- a private generator that sells power to utility companies.

'The Middle East is a major business area for our company besides Asia and overseas IPPs are one of the focuses of our business,' a Marubeni spokesman said.

Oil-rich Qatar is witnessing a construction boom, part of which started in preparations for the Asian Games this December.

Marubeni is also working in Qatar on a 250-mln-usd contract to expand sewage treatment facilities.