DOHA - 100 per cent foreign ownership, no taxes, duty free import and export, and sponsoring of expatriate employees are some of the attractions offered at the Free Zone being set up at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP).
This was disclosed by Dr Julian Roberts, CEO, QSTP while giving a presentation on the technology park project at the inaugural session of the Explore QSTP seminar at the Ritz Carlton hotel yesterday.
Khalid Al Mannai, QSTP board member and vice chairman of Mannai Corporation opened the seminar.
QSTP aims to promote applied research, technology development and commercialisation in Qatar and create high-value employment opportunities, in particular for Qatar University graduates, said Roberts.
The proposed Free Zone at QSTP will enable easy establishment of companies or their branches, trade with out a local agent and unrestricted repatriation of capital and profits, he added.
At the purpose-built premises being constructed at the Education City, QSTP will accommodate organisations focusing on Research and Development, product or process development and technology-related training.
The target areas include aircraft operations, environmental technology, gas and petrochemicals, healthcare, information and communication technology and water technology.
The companies which have already signed up with QSTP include European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), ExxonMobil, Gartner Lee Limited, General Electricals (GE), Microsoft, Rolls Royce, Shell and Total.
Beverly Mentzer, vice president, ExxonMobil Research Qatar, Patrick McMohan, director, ExxonMobil Research Qatar, Jeroen Muhammed Rauf Moors, Technology Manager, Shell, Dominique Laurier, Deputy Manager of Geosciences Technologies Division, Total Research Center Qatar, Ron Portelli, vice president, Gartner Lee Ltd, Hasan Dandashly, General Manager, Qatar Technology and Learning Center, General Electric, Global Research, Mohammed Hammoudi, country manager, Microsoft Qatar spoke.
An exhibition highlighting QSTP projects and its current clients was opened on the sidelines of the seminar. The two-day seminar and exhibition will conclude today.
© The Peninsula 2006
