DOHA: Qatar's Economic Zones Company (Manateq), which is responsible for overseeing the development of several economic zones across the country, received over 3,000 applications from approved developers for various projects in the south, including Al Wakra, said a senior official of the state-backed company.
"There was a huge demand for plots of land in Al Wakra and other areas where we have developed some 1,200 plots, but the demand was more than 3,000 but we could not accommodate them all," Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi, CEO of Manateq told The Peninsula recently on the sidelines of an event.
Al Kaabi added: "But hopefully the remaining developers will be accommodated in other areas in keeping with their requirements."
Projects in 'Southern Region' are comprised of three commercial parks -- Al Wakra, Birka Al Wamer, and Aba Saleel -- containing 1,583 plots across an area of 6,330,907 square metres for developing warehouses, workshops and service hubs.
Established in 2011, Manateq is a national initiative as part of Qatar's efforts to diversify its economy through the provision of world-class infrastructure within strategically placed
zones.
"Manateq is part of the massive development process currently going on in the country. We are trying to build all the needed infrastructure to support the growth and development of a vibrant and sustainable private sector," he said.
Since inception, the company has been working with potential and existing local and foreign investors, providing an international gateway for the swift set-up and successful growth of businesses in the country.
Al Kaabi said Manateq has been mandated to develop more than 4,000 million square metres, which include special economic zones, industrial and logistics parks -- Ras Bufontas, Um Alhoul, Al Karaana and Jery Al Samur expected to be developed in a phased manner.
Ras Bufontas is dedicated to the development of industrial clusters, including healthcare and medical devices, automotive and aerospace, logistics, electronics, fashion, advanced technology and other business services.
It is located adjacent to Hamad International Airport, an ideal location for businesses that need international connectivity.
The industries related to aluminium and other metal processing, heavy machinery, marine, construction, downstream petrochemicals and food and beverage that require sea transport will be accommodated in Um Alhoul zone near the Hamad Port.
"Manateq is developing Um Alhoul City on a area of 43 square kilometres, which will have clusters. We are focusing more on logistics projects in different cities in addition to other projects to meet the government's requirements," Al Kaabi added. "Manateq is the base for all developers. We have projects and each are in different stages of development depending on demand in the market. We are focusing on the northern side of the country such as Al Khor and Ruwais, where we are developing infrastructure for projects related to logistics sector," Al Kaabi added.
He said Manateq is also working to develop infrastructure in Al Karana (near the Saudi Arabia border) in an area of 50,000sqm.
Al Karana Zone, suitable for sectors like constriction, building materials, metals, chemicals and plastics, will provide access to over 100 million customers in GCC and global markets.
Jery Al Samur, adjacent to the planned truck route between Al Rayyan and Lusail, will become an important warehousing and distribution centre for sectors related to food and beverage, auto tools and machinery, construction materials and others.
© The Peninsula 2016
