H E Dr Mohammad bin Saleh Al Sada (second right) Minister of Energy and Industry; Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani (second left), Chairman of the Board, Qatar Islamic Bank; Anoud Ponpant La Fange (centre), CEO of Nexans-France; and Eric Chevall
DOHA: The number of new factories that started production since the beginning of the unjust siege has witnessed a significant double-digit growth. The number of new factories during the period has surged by 17 percent, the Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada told reporters yesterday.
The Minister, speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the second phase of Qatar International Cables Company’s (QICC) expansion project in Mesaieed noted that the government is paying special attention to the private sector’s initiatives and has set a goal to reach the rate to at least 20 percent, which is expected to be achieved within the next couple of months.
“The growth in the industrial sector is taking place at a very fast pace as a result of the solidarity of the private sector with the government which led to a rise in the scale of production through expansion as well as the opening of new factories. The high quality Qatari products are hitting the domestic and international market,” said Dr Al Sada.
He pointed out that the government continues to support the private sector, adding that the doors of all concerned government agencies are open to private companies which are planning to expand their operations to achieve a robust and diversified industrial base.
Commenting on QICC’s expansion, Dr Al Sada, said: “I am pleased to see QICC, a national company with international business exposure, expanding its operations in the State of Qatar. We are proud to see such a huge investment in the electricity industry in our domestic market, which reflects the strength of the Qatari economy.”
“With the expansion of QICC’s production facility, Qatar’s power sector will have a reliable supplier of high quality cables to serve the country’s various strategic and developmental projects.”
QICC is a joint venture between Al Mirqab Capital and Nexans from France, which is a global leader in advanced cabling and connectivity solutions. The French electric giant brings energy to life through an extensive range of best-in-class products and innovative services.
The opening ceremony was also attended by dignitaries and senior diplomats and top officials of companies, including Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, representing Al Merqab Capital; Issa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), and representatives from several government agencies.
Commenting on the opening the QICC’s expanded facility, Sheikh Jassim said: “This is an important step in Qatar’s drive towards self-sufficiency and will contribute to the development of a strong and stable infrastructure benefiting projects across the country.”
“The expansion of QICC’s factory in Mesaieed marks the completion of a decade of our presence in Qatar and the beginning of a new chapter for Nexans in the Middle East.”
Since the establishment of Qatar International Cables in 2008, we have been able to bring Over 100 years of experience in the area of cables to the region, and with the continued demand for power cables in Qatar, our role is to support and accelerate the transformation of the country through our technological knowledge and the highest standards of customer service. “
The plant was established in 2010 and supplied its products, including high quality power cables to some of the largest projects in Qatar and the region, which include KAHRAMAA projects for the expansion of the Qatari power grid, as well as the Doha Metro, Umm Al Houl power plant, oil and gas projects, road, infrastructure and construction projects.
The company recently won a contrct worth QR640m from KAHRAMAA for the supply of low voltage and medium voltage power cables, providing a sustainable basis for its expansion and development.
With the expansion and development of its facilities, Qatar Cables is now in a position to supply high-voltage cables at highly competitive prices based on the unique combination of Nixsan’s technology and its expertise with local capacity and customer-centric capacity.
