Established in 2011, with His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani as Chairman of the Board, Manateq’s mandate is to develop and operate the special economic zones, Logistics Parks and Industrial Zones according to the highest international standards, with the aim of facilitating the growth of the country’s services and industrial sectors and contributing to the efforts of achieving the goals of economic development, one of the four pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Manateq is the Economic Zone Partner of Project Qatar 2017, 8 – 11 May.
Ifpinfo had the following interview with the CEO of Manateq, Mr. Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi.
Q. What are the development stages that your company went through?
A. Manateq has become a vital component of the economic goals and objectives of Qatar. Upon its formation in 2011 under the name Economic Zones Company, owned by the Qatari Government, the company’s mandate was to begin the development of three special economic zones to stimulate and facilitate substantial private sector investment – both local and foreign – in an effort to support the different sectors of Qatar’s national economy, especially manufacturing.
Two years later, in 2013, the firm unveiled its new brand name – Manateq – along with its corporate identity.
In 2014, we celebrated a key milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony at the Ras Bufontas special economic zone. Further progress followed in the same year as contracts for the four warehousing parks, Bu Fesseela, Bu Sulba, Umm Shaharaine 1 and Umm Shaharaine 2 were awarded to private developers.
Less than three years after formation, Manateq received global recognition as the firm was awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certificate for quality management systems. This was reward for consistently providing product that meets customer and statutory requirements and for seeking to advance our systems while enhancing customer satisfaction. Moreover, in cooperation with the Technical Committee for the Promotion of Private Sector Engagement in Economic Development Projects within the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Manateq released the logistics parks projects that offer a modern environment for the supply and storage services and investment opportunities that add real value to the local economy. The parks provide prime spaces for building processing and assembly warehouses and workshops, commercial showrooms and a wide range of office buildings and labor accommodation. Thus, Manateq managed to provide investment opportunities in four logistics parks in 2015 and 2016, namely Jery Al Samur, Birkat Al Awamer, Al Wakra and Aba Seleel Logistics Parks.
In early 2017, Manateq also offered the opportunity of investing in the commercial plots of land within the logistics parks, a step that enabled Qatari investors from the private sector to participate in developing the commercial aspect of the parks by establishing retail outlets, showrooms, shops, clinics, banks, restaurants and other commercial activities while ensuring a diverse range of investments that engage and fulfill the needs of all investor categories and help them generate revenue.
Q. A success story was written since the inception of your company, what was your vision that led to achievements and success?
A. Manateq’s vision is to promote economic diversification in investments that add value to Qatar. This is how the idea developed for special economic zones, warehousing and logistics parks, and last but not least industrial zones. We aim to provide solutions for the different challenges the industrial sector is currently facing, particularly in regulation and infrastructure, by creating a business environment that presents local and foreign investors with a foothold into local and regional markets who will in turn add value products and services to those zones, not to mention enabling the private sector to participate in public investment projects, streamlining regulations and passing the related legislations that aim to facilitate starting business.
Q. What can you say about the principles and values that guided the company to prosperity and sustainable success?
A. Our aim to present stakeholders with opportunities and world-class business environment through the special economic zones is a key contributor to the growth, development and diversification of Qatar’s economy. This is in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 plan to create a more knowledge-based economy. Through the 2030 Plan the Government recognizes that the best path to sustainable growth is through a wide-reaching, thriving private sector that contributes to the State through the provision of jobs and prosperity. Our special economic zones are mandated to attract businesses and sectors that can play a role in Qatar’s economic future.
Q. What are the main products/services you are recognized for? What makes you so good at what you do?
A. Through our advanced solutions, we provide investors who aspire to build their own establishments with land plots that enjoy comprehensive services that suit a wide variety of industrial and storage uses and activities. Manateq also provides its pre-built industrial and warehousing units that start with integrated services, starting with an area of 500 square meters per unit. Additionally, we provide on-site residence, offices spaces, retail outlets and showrooms with various areas and sizes that meet investors’ needs. All our offerings enjoy a modern road network and serviced with water and electricity.
Moreover, Manateq offers value-added services represented by facility management service centers. These include but not limited to a mosque, a clinic, sale points, an open square and a parking lot, in addition to the maintenance services for buildings and roads, landscaping, CCTV monitoring and access control.
We provide world-class services and infrastructure for investors. The Client Engagement Process and One-Stop-Shop approach that creates a swift set-up process for businesses looking to get started at our special economic zones.
Our customer relationship officers will help investors at the center of facilitating business establishment to complete the transactions of registration and licensing, obtaining construction permits and residency procedures. Our services start as soon as the application is approved. We help investors get all the necessary approvals, permits and certificates that will transform their investments into a successful company or project. Our aim is to complete the registration within days of receiving the application and make the entire process a convenient, streamlined affair in all related government authorities responsible for issuing approvals. Manateq also guarantees a prompt, effective processing of the official labor and worker documents.
These services create an easier transition period for investors and businesses, allowing them to focus on bringing their value-added product to the Qatar market.
Q. Is there a certain strategy you are using to achieve your goals for the company?
A. It is vitally important to be open and approachable with a focus on providing the best service to your customers and that is something we pride ourselves on at Manateq.
With a mandate to attract new businesses, from Qatar and beyond, it is crucial that we demonstrate how you can trust us to deliver and why a successful partnership is beneficial to all parties. We are committed to our clients and to the goal of serving Qatar’s vision for a knowledge-based economy.
Q. What can we expect from the company in the near future?
A. We will continue to follow our mission to help drive the Qatar National Vision 2030. In doing so we will maintain our position as a leader in offering comprehensive services to highlight why investing in Qatar will help grow your business while adding to the country’s economic growth.
More logistics parks and industrial zones will be launched as part of this ongoing project, which is one of Qatar’s largest economic endeavors. Expected to be launched soon for the private sector, additional commercial land investment opportunities will also open in the waterfront area of Ras Bufontas special economic zone.
Q. What plans in the pipeline can affect future development?
A. If you want to succeed it is important that you don’t stand still, you must keep evolving. Manateq will ensure it is at the forefront as a land, services and business solution provider to clients and a key contributor to the future of Qatar.
Q. Have you ever participated in an exhibition or any event organized by IFP Group?
A. This is the first time we have participated in an IFP Group exhibition through Project Qatar 2017.
It’s a platform for us to showcase the comprehensive services we offer and why investors should look to partner with Manateq through our special, logistics and industrial zones.
ifpinfo
8 March
