‘ENGINE OF NATIONAL PROGRESS’ BUILDING MOMENTUM – PRESIDENT, QATAR FOUNDATION
Qatar, 18 February 2015: A raft of major projects being rolled out by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and its members have a key part to play in supporting the country’s priority to become a knowledge-based economy as set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030, according to the President of Qatar Foundation, Eng.Saad Al Muhannadi.
Al Muhannadi told the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) that the new buildings for Qatar National Library (QNL), which is a member of Qatar Foundation, and the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS) at QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) will offer impressive facilities for users.
He said “However, it is the knowledge represented by these institutions which is more important as examples of the Foundation’s support for the country’s commitment to increasing human capital and fostering a society appreciative of its Arab and Islamic heritage. The Qatar National Vision 2030 gave Qatar Foundation a new and exciting directive to be an ‘engine’ of national progress in education, science, and community development,” he continued. “Construction at Education City is ongoing, and currently there are a number of exciting projects under development.”
The QF President pointed to institutions that he said were pushing boundaries in research at QF-member HBKU at Education City as well as the breadth of courses available to students, embracing medicine, art and design, engineering, computer science and journalism across the eight partner universities. QF’s Education City location would also serve as a role model in Qatar’s drive to promote sustainable development, he added, through initiatives that include an electric bike system, light rail line and a solar energy project.
Al Muhannadi was interviewed by OBG as part of the research for The Report: Qatar 2015, the Group’s eleventh guide to the country’s economic activity and investment opportunities. OBG’s report will include a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for foreign investors, together with a wide range of interviews with the most prominent political, economic and business leaders, including the Vice-Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation and Vice-Chairperson of the Supreme Education Council Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani.
Projects currently under construction outside Education City, which include the Mandarin Oriental Doha, the Park Hyatt Doha, and the Alwadi Hotel, MGallery Collection by ACCOR in the heart of Doha’s downtown, reflect the key role that Qatar Foundation is playing in driving infrastructural development. Al Muhannadi also highlighted the organisation’s collaborative ventures, such as ASTAD Project Management - a strategic joint venture between QF and Qatar Petroleum which, he said, was overseeing the construction of some of the region’s most iconic architecture, led by the National Museum of Qatar.
The president said the Foundation was keen to see the private sector play a bigger role in Qatar’s sustainable economic development, especially across sectors targeted for growth. “Qatar Foundation continues to encourage collaborations and ventures in sectors that serve its vision and mission, making them optimal investment opportunities for the domestic private sector,” he said. “Since creativity, intellect, and critical thinking are key, it places development of human capital as the priority for the next two decades. We work closely with our partners, who range from schools to corporations across the world, to ensure efficiency, relevancy and innovation.”
The Report: Qatar 2015 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The publication will be available in print or online.
About Oxford Business Group
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and telecoms. The Report: Qatar 2015 will be produced in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and PwC Qatar.
The critically acclaimed economic and business reports have become the leading source of business intelligence on developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG's online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for tens of thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG's consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.
