An international hub for research and commercialisation is emerging in the Middle East: the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). By providing an attractive home for technology-based companies from around the world, QSTP is accelerating the growth of Qatar’s knowledge economy.
QSTP offers the ideal environment in which to develop technology and deliver it to the marketplace. Tenants are provided with office space, laboratory facilities and business-support services on a non-profit basis. They also enjoy the benefits of Qatar’s first free-trade zone, which does away with taxes and makes it easy to set up a wholly-owned and independently-run local entity.
QSTP residents will include multinational and local companies, start-ups, training and consulting firms, and research institutes. Companies can trade commercially from QSTP provided their main activity involves the development or transfer of technology. Those already signing to join QSTP include EADS, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Shell and Total.
A key feature of QSTP is its co-location with top international universities at Education City, a 900 hectare campus of schools, colleges and national facilities in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The universities not only teach internationally recognised degree courses but are also building world-class research programs – QSTP tenants have valuable access to these research powerhouses and their highly-qualified graduates. The universities’ programs cover engineering (four streams), medicine, computer science, business and design.
QSTP’s first three multi-user buildings are due to open in late 2006. They include an Emerging Technology Centre, providing shared facilities for start-up companies and smaller tenants, and a pair of Innovation & Technology Transfer Centres, with uninterrupted spaces of up to 1500 m2 for larger organisations. In the meantime, temporary accommodation is available in existing Education City facilities.
Regarding support services, QSTP takes care of operational matters such as meeting rooms, facilities management and security. Importantly, it will also provide higher-value business services such as intellectual-property advice, recruitment, legal and marketing support.
On a national level, Qatar is rapidly upgrading its support for science, technology and innovation. A program of national research grants is under development, and an $8 billion endowment was recently announced for the coming teaching and research hospital. QSTP itself will deliver several support programs helping to create and grow start-up technology companies.
With free-trade zone benefits, access to world-class universities, facilities purpose-built for R&D, and exposure to the country’s leadership, QSTP is the premier location in the Middle East for companies to advance their technology and deliver it to the marketplace.
Qatar Science & Technology Park is creating the ideal environment in which to develop and commercialise technology. It provides world-class facilities and services for companies from around the globe, and is fostering start-up technology enterprises. Located in Qatar’s renowned Education City, QSTP tenants have access to the region’s leading research universities and their highly qualified graduates. QSTP will also be one of Qatar’s first free-trade zones, making it easy and attractive to set up a wholly-owned company in the country. By encouraging local technology development, QSTP is creating opportunities for scientists and entrepreneurs from across the Middle East, and spurring innovations that will benefit the region’s industry and society.
