The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) has signed 39 new agreements and has brought the total number of companies in the Free Zones to more than 130 in 2020 despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite all the challenges the business sector faced in 2020, QFZA kept its momentum rolling and was able to deliver on many successes,” the QFZA has said in a tweet. It added that the Free Zones also welcomed investors into the Business Innovation Park, while as many as 80 Light Industrial Units have also been constructed in the Free Zones last year.
To date, the QFZA has attracted a plethora of world renowned companies including Google, DHL, and Volkswagen among others. Most recently, QFZA also announced that it will host Qatar’s first laptop manufacturing facility in Umm Alhoul free zone.
The state-of-the-art 2,500sqm production facility will be facilitated by a partnership between the USbased iLife Digital, a leading intelligent robotics and electronics company, and Prime Technologies, a subsidiary of Ali Bin Ali Holding.
The new factory, which will create innovative iLife-branded electronic devices, including laptops, PCs, smart watches and mobile phones among others, is expected to meet the growing demand for affordable electronic projects in the Mena region.
Among the significant agreements signed by the QFZA last year is the establishment of the first factory in Qatar to assemble the first electric vehicles “Made in Qatar” at the Ras Bufontas free zone.
The €20m joint venture between the French Gaussin Advance Mobility Company and Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company will accelerate the deployment of emission-free vehicles and support Qatar’s national ambition for the adoption of e-vehicles in the country’s public transport sector.
The QFZA in November also signed a multilateral framework agreement with Yutong, one of the world’s largest bus and coach suppliers, and Qatar’s Mowasalat to manufacture electric buses (e-buses) in the zones, with first e-buses produced for upcoming Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022.
“Qatar Free Zones welcome everyone, and we currently have a good number of Qatari companies operating here, as well as several partnerships between local and foreign companies. The Free Zones are a business platform, and mainly for Qatari companies that have export requirements or wish to work outside the customs domain, or need the specialised legislative advantages provided in the Free Zones. These companies can simply apply and operate here,” said Abdulla Al Misnad, Deputy CEO of QFZA, in an interview with the Qatar Television recently.
The QFZA currently oversees two free zones, the 400-hectare Ras Bufontas free zone, which is located next to HIA, while Umm Alhoul free zone is located next to Hamad Port.
Unlike many other free zones, the Qatar free zones are managed by an independent regulatory authority, which provides a one-stop-shop for the entire set up and management process of businesses.
The QFZA has also just launched a dedicated investors’ call centre recently. The call centre, which can be reached on +974 4020 5020, aims to answer questions and help in providing services to investors’ need
