The National Forum for Innovation and Industrial Investment concluded its proceedings today, reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and competitive business environment. The forum serves as a strategic platform for industry leaders, policymakers and investors to explore key opportunities in industrial innovation, sustainability and economic transformation.

Organized by Manateq, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the forum gathered representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar University, and leading investors and entrepreneurs. The forum focused on efforts aimed at supporting the country’s industrial and economic growth in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030.

Commenting on the forum, H.E. Saleh Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, stated: "Innovation and industrial investment are the cornerstone of national development strategies. In Qatar, we are committed to fostering entrepreneurship, creating a conducive environment for research and development, and attracting investments to achieve economic diversification and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of national economy.”

Al-Khulaifi added that: "The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the National Manufacturing Strategy 2024-2030, aims to increase the added value of the manufacturing sector to more than QAR 70.5 billion, boost non-hydrocarbon exports to around QAR 49 billion, and enhance industrial investment to exceed QAR 326 billion by 2030. Additionally, the strategy seeks to diversify manufacturing industries by 50%, raise the private sector’s value-added contribution to QAR 36 billion, elevate Qatar’s ranking among the top 40 countries in the Industrial Competitiveness Index, promote green manufacturing, and accelerate the transition towards smart and knowledge-based industries."

He emphasized the significance of the forum in exploring opportunities and strengthening cooperation among stakeholders, whereby advancing innovation, attracting investments, and achieving sustainable economic development.

Eng. Mohammed Lutfallah Al Emadi, CEO of Manateq, emphasized the forum’s role in empowering investors and advancing Qatar’s industrial landscape, stating: "This forum has provided a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration, reinforcing Manateq’s mission to nurture entrepreneurship, enhance market competitiveness, and drive sustainable industrial development. By fostering innovation and strategic partnerships, we are ensuring that Qatar remains an attractive and thriving destination for industrial and logistics investments. We reaffirm our commitment at Manateq to work alongside MOCI and all stakeholders to enhance Qatar’s industrial capacity and provide a more flexible and efficient investment environment for businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed and grow".

The event featured high-level discussions, expert presentations, and interactive networking sessions, offering investors insights into the latest advancements and opportunities within Qatar’s industrial sector. Attendees explored key themes such as Industry 4.0, digital transformation, sustainability, and the evolving industrial ecosystem, enabling businesses to capitalize on emerging trends and enhance their competitive edge.

Manateq remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders across the public and private sectors to maximize Qatar’s industrial potential and strengthen its contribution to national economy.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in collaboration with the Qatari Economic Zones Company (Manateq), has announced a reduction in land leasing rates of up to 50% at the Manateq-operated industrial, logistics, and commercial zones.

The decision applies to the following zones: Jery Al Samur Logistics Park, Small and Medium Industries Zone, Al Wakra Logistics Park, Aba Saleel Logistics Park, Mesaieed Industrial Zone, and Birkat Al Awamer Logistics Park.

The new rates apply immediately, and will stay in effect for five years until further review.

The revised rates are as follows:

•Industrial zones: QR5 per square meter a year (versus an earlier rate of QR10)

•Logistics parks: QR15 per square meter a year (versus QR20)

•Commercial plots: QR50 per square meter a year (versus QR100)

The Ministry and Manateq assessed that the initiative benefits over 4,000 investors and is a crucial step in strengthening Qatar’s business ecosystem.

The initiative underscores the commitment of the Ministry and Manateq to deliver competitive investment solutions that solidify Qatar’s position as a leading regional hub for trade, industry, and logistics services. Such attractive incentives will stimulate business growth, support local investors, and contribute to economic diversification in line with the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030, the final phase of Qatar National Vision 2030.

HE Mohammed bin Hassan Al Malki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Manateq, pointed out that reducing lease rates for industrial, logistics, and commercial areas at Manateq-operated zones reflects the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the private sector and fostering an investment-friendly environment, in fulfilment of Qatar’s National Manufacturing Strategy 2024-2030.

Al Malki added: "The decision is part of ongoing endeavours aimed to enhance the competitiveness of local products and the attractiveness of industrial and logistics zones. It contributes to achieving sustainable development and supports economic diversification in line with Qatar National Vision 2030."

Saleh Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said: "The initiative is part of the Ministry’s broader strategy focused on enhancing the investment environment countrywide. Reducing lease cost is a pivotal step in supporting investors, lowering operational expenses, and increasing the competitiveness of Qatari products in regional and global markets."

On his part, Eng Mohammed Lutfalla Al Emadi, CEO of Manateq, highlighted the company’s role in supporting economic development and attracting investment, stating: "At Manateq, empowering investors is at the core of our strategy. We offer a world-class business environment and strategically-located sites with competitive lease rates. This initiative reflects our continued efforts to enable investors to succeed and expand in Qatar. We are confident that this move will encourage more investments and strengthen national industrial and logistics sectors."

Manateq operates various projects with the aim of promoting economic diversification and drawing local and international investments, e.g. industrial zones, logistics parks, and warehouses.

Manateq’s zones are developed to the highest standards to cater to diverse industrial needs, offering strategic locations with seamless access to regional and global markets, advanced infrastructure, and comprehensive support services, whereby constituting ideal destinations for investors seeking sustainable expansion opportunities.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has signed a concession agreement with the Economic Zones Company (Manateq) to manage the small and medium industries zone, as part of strategy to enhance operational efficiency and improve the services provided in the zone without affecting the current conditions of factories and the owners.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the ministry by Abdulla Ghanim al-Maadeed, Industrial Development Director, and Hamad Jarallah al-Marri, chief operations officer, on behalf of Manateq, in the presence of Assistant Undersecretaries at MoCI as well as Mohammad Lutfalla al-Emadi, chief executive officer of Manateq.

The concession pact spans 25 years, renewable, during which Manateq will be responsible for managing and operating the small and medium industries zone.

The company’s duties include preparing and implementing development plans, overseeing their execution, delivering related services, and providing essential infrastructure and facilities while ensuring their maintenance to optimise operational efficiency. It also mandates adherence to designated land uses, approved specifications, and performance standards.

The agreement authorises Manateq to lease and promote lands in the zone for permitted activities and establish procedures for development and operations, subject to MoCI’s approval. The pact also allows Manateq to contract qualified entities to provide required services and to conclude or amend lease agreements with tenants.

The MoCI will maintain complete oversight through its relevant department to ensure that the factories within the small and medium industries zone comply with technical and construction requirements in co-ordination with other stakeholders.

This collaboration reflects the ministry's commitment to providing an advanced investment environment that supports business continuity and meets the needs of manufacturers, contributing to sustainable development and strengthening the industrial sector's competitiveness.

"The signing of this agreement underscores the ministry’s commitment to enhancing the role of small and medium industries as key drivers of economic growth and vital components of industrial diversification," said Saleh Majid al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at MoCI.

"Through this collaboration, we aim to enhance operational efficiency and create distinguished and integrated investment opportunities that drive innovation and industrial growth to support and develop the national economy," according to al-Emadi.