In confirmation of the value and significance of the long-standing cooperation between the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and the Economic Zones Company (Manateq), their exemplary partnership has been extended for three years, 2022, 2023 and 2024. This renewed collaboration is meant to achieve the common goals between the two parties in a way which enhances the progress and development of Qatari horseracing, as well as the role of Manateq, as a national partner who supports various activities, including sports.

Under the recently signed agreement, Manateq will sponsor two races in two different horseracing events, in Qatar and in France respectively. The first race is the H.H. The Amir Shalfa on the final day of the H.H. The Amir Sword Festival at Al Rayyan Racecourse in Doha. The second is the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere on the final day of the annual QREC-sponsored Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend at ParisLongchamp.

Al Mohannadi: Realising mutual goals

Commenting on this agreement, His Excellency Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman said: “We are pleased to continue the partnership with Manateq, which has had a close relationship with QREC for several years. This relationship is based on realsing a set of mutual goals which are in the interest of both QREC and Manateq, especially as the recently signed agreement includes sponsoring more than one race in important events and in two of QREC’s most prominent races every year.”

Al-Mohannadi added: “It is our pleasure to renew this partnership with Manateq, particularly as our previous experiences with them have been very successful both in Qatar and overseas. They have contributed to the success of these events, which, in turn, emphasise the value and importance of the Qatari horseracing, both in Doha and abroad. I would like to thank the management of Manateq for their constant keenness to participate in sponsoring the activities of QREC. No doubt, continuing the partnership for three years, and in this manner, will bring about many gains, reflecting the excellent cooperation between the two parties.”

“We value the Manateq’s role and interest in continuing the collaboration with QREC in favour of the success of racing. We, in turn, are preparing in the coming days to produce a special renewal of the His Highness The Amir Sword Festival and the cooperation with the sponsoring companies, including Manateq, will be a major factor in realising this end. We look forward to producing a world-class edition of the prestigious Festival” concluded Al Mohannadi.

Al Kaabi: National duty and continuous support

Mr Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi, Manateq CEO, said: “We are very pleased with this partnership with QREC. It signifies the strong relationship between the two organisations and makes us more keen to continue our cooperation. The new three-year agreement aims for more successes, whether at the His Highness The Amir Sword Festival by sponsoring the His Highness The Amir Shalfa race, or sponsoring the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp. In fact, Qatar’s success in the major races and events is a success for all of us. Driven by our pride in these accomplishments and sense of national responsibility, we always take the initiative to contribute to such success. All national companies, including Manateq, seek to put all their capabilities to confirm to the world that Qatar is capable of organising and producing the biggest events to perfection.”

“Our sponsorship of QREC’s activities is driven by our national duty to support sports and QREC’s achievements and excellent association with racing events locally and abroad. We confirm once again that we will continue sponsoring QREC’s races and supporting sport in general. Qatar’s horseracing currently enjoys an outstanding stature on the global stage and we’ve seen that clearly in our previous experiences and association with QREC both inside and outside Qatar. We wish this sport more progress and advancement and look forward to promoting Qatar, especially in terms of horseracing by working together with QREC and with the unlimited support from our wise leadership,” Al Kaabi added.

Manateq continue to maintain the latest international standard for the management of information security, ISO 27001:2013 since 2018. The awarding of this re-certification to Economic Zones, which highlights its commitment to improve its information security in order to continue building trust and understanding with its customers. Economic Zone achieved this journey with the help of their Security Partner “OISSG Consultancy”.

Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 27001:2013 is a world recognized and international best practice standard for information security. In order to be certified, Economic Zone continues to fulfill requirements related to the establishment, maintenance and implementation of its information security management system.

As part of the re-certification process, the organization underwent a comprehensive evaluation and implementation phase, in which an audit was undertaken by an external agency: Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries

worldwide. Once certified, organizations are subject to a three-year process, wherein their compliance is verified by yearly surveillance audits and a final re-certification audit at the end of the cycle.

Manateq, the company working to diversify Qatar’s economy by providing premium infrastructure within strategic economic zones, has obtained the Integrated Management System (IMS) Certification, combining its certification to the world’s three most prevalent ISO Standards (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018) under a single framework.

The milestone certification follows an intensive third party audit of Manateq’s Integrated Management System by the internationally recognized certification body TUV Nord Gulf Qatar. The audit complimented Manateq’s distinctive approach to structuring its QHSE Policy, adopting business and organizational excellence focused on outcomes, performance, practice, structure, and system (OPPSS). Manateq’s IMS has become the top-level framework that integrates governance into its processes.

“Achieving this certification is not the beginning or the end of our journey, but a demonstration of Manateq’s strategic direction to maintain and sustain a robust integrated management system that manages risks and opportunities, while striving to achieve its stated business outcomes,” explained Manateq CEO, Fahad Rashid Al-Kaabi. “This gives all our partners, investors, contractors, external providers, and other stakeholders, including SMEs, a guarantee of a sustainable and safe business journey with Manateq. Additionally, it will further lift their confidence in our ability to create a world-class business environment that enables domestic and foreign investors to deliver value added products and services to local, regional and international markets.”

Al Kaabi added that the certification also underlines Manateq’s ability to sustain business continuity in a challenging environment.

“We have successfully fulfilled all QHSE Management Systems requirements despite the challenges of the current global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. In the span of just 12 months, and in line with our business plan, we have effectively deployed a newly developed IMS framework without resorting to any external consultancy services,” he highlighted.

Manateq’s in-house resources delivered the required internal audit, gap analysis, documentation, implementation, internal audits, certification, and sustainability requirements.

The TUV Nord Gulf Qatar audit complimented Manateq’s executive management for supporting the certification process and demonstrating commitment to delivering high quality client services and praised the company’s IMS internal audit process as ‘Best Practice’ for its detailed findings reflecting actual activities and areas for business process improvement.

“Manateq believes that the key to effective IMS governance is through visible leadership and engagement of its employees and stakeholders”. The executive management understands and realizes the importance of integrated processes in consistently achieving the highest level of quality services to its clients while maintaining the safe systems of work and protecting the environment within the areas of their control. IMS Implementation within the scope of its certification has achieved a score of 85% integration for both the system and functional processes.

Manateq’s IMS Journey began in Q1 2019 when its EMS – Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015) was integrated with its Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001:2018). Its Quality Management System portfolio (ISO 9001:2015) became part of the Integrated Management Systems in Q4 2019.

Manateq, the national company working to diversify Qatar’s economy by providing premium infrastructure within strategic zones, has reported that number of investors applied in its Birkat Al Awamer Logistics Park has outstripped the plots available for lease.

The company received more than 3,800 applications for the 787 plot leases, offered a 25-year lease period, which was launched in November.

Following the high demand, a public draw was conducted for the qualified applications from companies with 100% Qatari ownership, to withdraw the winning applications and backup list, with the event being supervised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The winning applicants will benefit from a two-year rent exemption starting from 1st of January, 2021.

“The response to the plot offers has been highly encouraging and underlines the confidence investors have in the future of Manateq and the country’s economic diversification strategy,” commented Eng. Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi, CEO, Manateq.

The plots on offer divided into three categories – those spanning up to 1,140 sqms, those ranging from 1,141 -2,500 sqms and those covering between 10,601 – 21,000 sqms. The varying categories is aimed at responding to diverse investor needs.

Birkat Al Awamer is one of five logistics projects being developed by Manateq and is designed to appeal to companies wanting to build their own warehouses or workshops, commercial showrooms, offices, and staff accommodation on one plot. Birkat Al Awamer benefits from proximity to vital logistics gateways making it a highly strategic location to facilitate speedy logistics delivery with convenient connectivity to Hamed Port and Al Majed Road.

“The huge demad has demonstrated Birkat Al Awamer’s strong appeal to various logistics sectors including, but not limited to, the construction and food sectors, aluminium, stone and steel workshops and multi-purpose storage operators,” added Al Kaabi. “We look forward to the investors now progressing their projects and to begin realising the benefits of Qatar’s national growth drive.”

Manateq, the national initiative working to diversify Qatar’s economy by providing premium infrastructure within strategic logistics parks, has signed with Qatar’s Waseef Asset Management Company the leader in the management and marketing of real estate projects, to provide facilities and rental management of all the commercial and residential assets in seven service hubs across all its logistics parks.

The agreement was signed at Manateq headquarters by Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi, Manateq CEO and Abdullah Jubara Al Rumaihi, Acting CEO of Barwa Real Estate Group and CEO of Waseef Asset Management Company.

As per the agreement, Al Waseef will now manage the rental affairs of all investors’ commercial and accommodation assets in the service hubs in Manateq’s Jery Al Summar, Birkat Al Awamer, Aba Saleel and Al Wakra logistics parks which are designed as gateways to fast-track economic diversity and business growth throughout Qatar and beyond.

“With the right partners we can succeed in contributing to long-term economic growth, and we believe that in Al Waseef Asset Management Company, we have a partner who can deliver further investor confidence to ensure that our service hubs will be enjoyable places to live, work and thrive. The award underlines our strong intent to provide sustainable business environments in which enterprises can prosper and grow supported by premium infrastructure and services for visitors and tenants alike.” said Manateq CEO, Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi.

“We are excited to work with Manateq on successfully activating these service hubs which will provide well-managed communities for the many staff who will work in the logistics parks,” said Abdullah Jubara Al Rumaihi, CEO of Waseef Asset Management Company. “We will bring to this contract our extensive experience gained through offering our services to 15 destination companies in Qatar and through which we manage over 3.6 million sqm in projects and we look forward to playing a role in delivering exemplary services to assets which are at the heart of Qatar’s national development ambitions.”

Manateq has designed the service hubs as thriving, showpiece communities. They will feature cafes and restaurants, supermarkets, money exchange services with ATMs, pharmacies and medical centres and a host of service operators including utilities providers, laundries, barber shops and tailors with ample parking throughout.

In all around 92 retail premises and 172 residential accommodation units are available for rent and investor applications can now be made via Waseef Asset Management Company’s website at: https://www.waseef.qa/en/projects/manateq-logistic-service-hubs or by calling 8004444 for more information.

Manateq’s logistic parks have been designed to accelerate the economy by enabling businesses and SMEs to invest in a diverse range of sectors such as aluminium, steel, automotive, electronics, construction material, and food and beverage, by offering around 15 million square metres, distributed across Jery Al Samur, Al Wakra, Birkat Al Awamer and Aba Saleel, to promote economic diversification. The parks have been strategically planned close to Hamad Port and key gateways to offer logistics companies optimum connectivity to save transport time and cost.

Manateq, which is working to diversify Qatar’s economy by providing premium infrastructure within strategic economic zones, has launched new plot leases in its Birkat Al Awamer Logistics Park, designed for investors.

The 9.4 million sqm park – one of five logistics projects being developed by Manateq – is designed to appeal to companies wanting to build their own facilities through providing them comprehensive solutions that will allow them to build warehouses or workshops, commercial showrooms, offices, and staff accommodation all in one piece of land. The plots sizes will vary from 800 sqm up to more than 20,000 sqm to respond to the diversified requirements of the intended projects.

Leases are available at QAR20 per sqm per year with investors being incentivised by a two-year, rent free grace period and flexible construction procedures.

“Investors in Birkat Al Awamer will benefit from proximity to vital logistics gateways such as Hamad Port,” explained Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi, CEO, Manateq. “This is a highly strategic location with convenient connection to Al Majed Road which provides easy access to Hamad Port facilitating speedy logistics delivery.”

Birkat Al Awamer is seen as having strong appeal to various logistics sectors including but not limited to the construction sector, food sector, aluminium, stone and steel workshops and multi-purpose storage operators.

Potential investors are required to provide valid commercial registration and a business plan as part of their application submission which can be processed via the Manateq website www.manateq.qa.

“We have designed an easy application procedure to ensure swift approvals decision-making,” explained Al Kaabi. “Once applications are received with the required documentation, Manateq Investment Committee will assess them and respond on approvals or otherwise in a timely manner.”

Manateq has also signed last year a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with QIB to

facilitate financing for its logistics parks investors. Under the agreement, investors in Manateq’s four logistics parks – Jery Al Samur, Birkat Al Awamer, Al Wakra and Aba Saleel – can raise 60% of their project financing against land and personal guarantees from QIB.

The finance partnership demonstrates Manateq’s ongoing client support approach which earlier this year also saw the company offering investors in its all logistics parks and industrial zones a nine months’ rent exemption to help them better navigate business difficulties experienced during the COVID 19 pandemic.