During a press conference in Doha The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) and Qatar’s Ministry of Energy and Industry announced the launching of “Invest in Qatar 2015” Forum today, the 6h of April 2015. The Forum will be held on the 27th and 28th of April, 2015 at the Saint Regis Hotel in Doha, Qatar. The announcement came during a press conference held at GOIC’s headquarters. Al-Ageel The press conference was inaugurated with the speech of HE GOIC Secretary General Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel in which he reiterated that the State of Qatar enjoys a comprehensive set of elements capable of drawing Gulf and international investments. Furthermore, industries with heavy energy consumption have a relative advantage backed by several inexpensive sources of energy and feedstock. Therefore, the benefit from the investment environment in Qatar is increased. In addition to that, many incentives offered to industrial facilities allowing for the creation of a strong industrial base that meets the growing demand on the local market and competes internationally. Mr. Al-Ageel said that the value of local investments in joint industrial projects was about 29.2 billion USD (35.4% of the total cumulative investments in manufacturing industries). As to joint Gulf factories, their cumulative investments was valued at approximately two billion USD (about 2.4% of the total industrial investments) while Arab non-Gulf investments’ shares were around 141.5 million USD only. Moreover, joint foreign industrial ventures were valued at around 16.4 billion USD in 2014 (approximately 20% of the total investments in manufacturing industries). GOIC Secretary General explained that the Forum will shed light on the broad investment space in Qatar and on the promising investment opportunities introduced by GOIC in the areas of pharmaceuticals, food, green building materials, recycling, petrochemicals and aluminium in order to strengthen Qatar’s competitiveness level in the region and abroad. Mr. Al-Ageel concluded by reiterating that Qatar has strong, promising and encouraging economic prospects for the next few years. In fact, Qatar is witnessing a remarkable growth at the level of the industrial sector in general, in addition to the construction boom and several key infrastructure megaprojects with big investments, particularly driven by the decision to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha. Al Muslmani Mr. Sultan Al- Musalmani on behalf of Engineer Saeed Mubarak Al-Kuwari reiterated the ministry’s endeavours to implement Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 aiming at supporting the industrial sector and developing investments in this key sector for the country. The ministry has opted for development strategies aiming at developing a comprehensive set of elements to attract local and foreign investments. He said this forum was part of the ministry’s efforts jointly deployed with GOIC to introduce industrial investment opportunities for Qatari, Gulf, Arab and international stakeholders, investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs. It gives them the opportunity to play an active role in the investment activities in the State of Qatar and to contribute to its industrial development. Al-Kaabi Engineer Fahad Rashid Al-Kaabi, Manateq Chief Executive Officer stated that the support of Qatar’s government to local and foreign investment activities is one of the most encouraging incentives for Qatari and foreign investors. Especially that Qatar is opting for diversifying income sources and reducing dependence on oil and gas on one hand, and guaranteeing comprehensive development and construction boom, including the emphasis on building comprehensive economic zones fulfilling investors’ needs on the other. Mr. Al-Kaabi reiterated that “the primary and secondary economic zone projects in Qatar highly contribute to attracting local and international investments from various sectors which helps boosting the industrial sector and achieving economic growth, diversification, competitiveness and job opportunities for citizens”. Manateq CEO highlighted key projects of the company in the three economic zones: Ras Bufontas zone, Al Karaana zone and Um Alhoul zone. He talked about the most important industries that the company is looking forward to establishing in each of the zones with emphasis on standards required by the company in executing these projects. Mr. Al-Kaabi commended the efforts that led to “Invest in Qatar Conference and Exhibition”, one of the very first programs and initiatives of the master plan established by Manateq. The company aims at promoting its various projects and economic zones in line with the objectives of Qatar’s national strategy. Manateq closely cooperate with its strategic partners the Ministry of Economy and Industry, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC). Al Khalifa Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank (QDB), the forum’s strategic partner stated: “QDB works closely with major institutions to provide SMEs with different opportunities. For instance, we built partnerships with Qatar Tourism Authority and Shell Qatar that have resulted in several unique projects. Furthermore, QDB facilitates communication with other government agencies and private sector organisations to help companies and investors in taking sound and correct decisions regarding potential investment opportunities.” Mr. Al Khalifa added: “We are happy to be the strategic partner of this exceptional forum, for our ultimate objective is to contribute to achieving economic diversification in Qatar by supporting the private sector in general and SMEs in particular.” Yusuf Ali Darwish For his part, Mr. Yusuf Ali Darwish, Director General of the Department of Communications at QNB Group stated, "When we talk about investment, we necessarily recognize that funding is the only way and the right arm through which entrepreneurs, employees and beneficiaries can complete their projects and see their investments materialized in front of them on the ground. When funding is mentioned, QNB is recognized not only as one of the strongest banks in the world, but as a financial institution that supported, and still supports and offers the best financing solutions for the largest infrastructure projects in Qatar and the region. This expertise has been accumulated not only through oil and gas fields but also through support and encouragement of small and medium-sized enterprises. We are pleased at QNB to put our cumulative expertise and capabilities at the reach of investors in Qatar and the region. This is triggered by the strong spread of QNB network of branches and representative offices in more than 27 countries and three continents representing the most powerful and the most important markets of the world. Al Ansari The conclusion word was with Mr. Abdul-Rahman al-Ansari, chief executive of the Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company, who complemented "GOC" and its experts for the efforts in organizing "Invest in Qatar Forum” stating that it was "unfortunate step and a masterstroke, the subject is excellent and attractive, and the timing is right, every one concerned with investment in terms of funding and licensing industrial land parties will contribute in the forum”. He reiterated that everyone is working to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030 ". Ansari assured the importance of themes that would be covered by the forum, reiterated that "GOIC" made efforts to make the selection”. He disclosed that the themes address, "the Aluminum, where there are a lot of opportunities that can be invested in the region in the aluminum field, and the Gulf region seeks to move the industry and take advantage of promising opportunities, and we are looking for opportunities in this field in our countries." And Ansari said that the focus of the "Recycling", the problem we face in our Gulf and we need to recycle technology to overcome them,” directed a message to the government sector for the need for recycling industry. He assured the importance of building green materials industry, saying that there are concerted efforts to increase awareness. Ansari shed light on the petrochemical industry, considering it the most important sector and there should be “Invest in Qatar Forum in the petrochemical industry", He stated that the organization can play an important role in the preparation of studies to be implemented in the future. The official website of the conference: www.invest.goic.org.qa