Yet another feather in the cap for Qatar Free Zones Authority. Ras Bufontas Free Zone, which is overseen and regulated by QFZA, has been awarded the GSAS Design & Build (D&B) 3 Stars Certificate for “Districts & Infrastructure Scheme”. And within Ras Bufontas Free Zone, the iconic Business Innovation Park building has achieved the GSAS 3 Stars Certificate for “Design & Build Offices Scheme”. The accreditations were awarded by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development.
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. Together, the free zones deliver long-term solutions for local and international businesses with operations in Qatar. QFZA has attracted a plethora of world renowned companies including Google, DHL, and Volkswagen among others.
Minister of State and Chairman of QFZA, H E Ahmad Al Sayed, participating in a panel discussion at Qatar Economic Forum last month, said that Qatar Free Zones were established as part of the government’s efforts to attract foreign direct investments, diversify the economy and create a hub for connectivity.
Ras Bufontas Free Zone incorporates a wide range of sustainability measures to preserve the environment and protect its biodiversity. Eng. Ali Al Khalifa, the Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZA, said: “The accreditation demonstrates QFZA’s commitment to the highest standards of sustainability in construction and building development, and providing top-of-the-line, long-term infrastructure for companies based in Qatar Free Zones. This award is also testament to our enduring contributions to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 goals.”
In February, GAC, one of the largest integrated providers of shipping and logistics services, signed an agreement with QFZA to establish a contract logistics facility and office in the Ras Bufontas Free Zone. Also, H E Al Sayed, inaugurated the newest regional hub for GWC, the leading logistics provider and the Authorized Service Contractor of UPS in Qatar.
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 pandemic. Most recently, QFZA announced that it will host Qatar’s first laptop manufacturing facility in Umm Alhoul Free Zone. Among the significant agreements signed by 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. QFZA also signed a multilateral framework agreement with Yutong, one of the world’s largest bus and coach suppliers, and Mowasalat to manufacture e-buses in the zones for upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
