Doha: Taking a big leap towards environment-friendly vehicles, the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) has signed a pact to set up the first electric vehicles factory in Qatar. QFZA yesterday announced the signing of an agreement to establish the first factory to assemble electric vehicles in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, with Gaussin Advance Mobility company. 

The €20m joint venture between the French Gaussin Company and Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company, is set to assemble electric vehicles and accelerate the deployment of emission-free vehicles. 

The signing ceremony which was held at the Business Innovation Park at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, was attended by the Minister of State and QFZA Chairman Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company Chairman Abdul Aziz Al Attiya, Gaussin Advance Mobility Chief Executive Officer Christophe Gaussin, QFZA CEO Lim Meng Hui, and other QFZA senior officials through video conference from France. 

The agreement was signed by QFZA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Abdulla Al Misnad,  Gaussin, and Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company CEO Mohammad Maali. 

In a statement, Al Sayed said: 'We welcome the establishment of the Gaussin Advance Mobility Company, which will pave the way for the establishment of the first electric vehicle assembly factory in Qatar. We also welcome the partnership between Gaussin Company and Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company, which reflects the depth of the bilateral commercial and economic relations between Qatar and France, and the role of the free zones in providing an attractive business environment for partnerships between the private sector and international companies. 

'At the national level, this partnership will allow us to further support our national champions, in addition to establishing an R & D center to support the development of vehicle technologies and products, which will in turn support the growth and success of these companies in this vital sector in Qatar.

Al Attiya added: 'Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company is proud to play a major role in supporting Made In Qatar initiative inspired by the wise vision of  Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and along with the pursuance of Qatar's National Vision 2030. We are honoured to launch a strategic collaboration with Qatar Free Zones Authority partnering with a world-class innovative leader Gaussin. This will become one of the most technologically advanced machines dedicated to serve Seaports, Airports, Logistics and Smart cities in Qatar.

'This partnership promises to provide outstanding opportunities that will benefit both the region and the globe. We created an incredible joint venture to ensure the long-term success of the partnership between both companies which will accelerate the deployment of Gaussin Smart and emission-free vehicles in the region.

Welcoming the project, Gaussin said: 'This update to our initial agreement with QFZA is an exciting step forward for our development in Qatar and the Middle East. Gaussin's innovation is increasingly recognised in the transportation and logistics industry and our business is gaining momentum, and this agreement will pave the way for long-term cooperation in favour of cleaner vehicles. I wish to thank Abdul Aziz Al Attiyah, Ahmad Al Sayed and the team at QFZA for making the assembly of electric vehicles a reality. We have no doubt that Gaussin Advance Mobility will contribute to Qatar National Vision 2030's goal of making Qatar 100 percent green and autonomous.

Also, Al Misnad said: 'As the world moves to find more sustainable modes of business and production, we are proud that this agreement is helping contribute to a cleaner, smarter future for the automotive industry. This is also an opportunity for Qatar to become a leader in the export of electric vehicles through seeing the joint venture work with national suppliers to provide the factory's products and to manufacture the components used in these products.

The QFZA will support similar initiatives that set the business ecosystem to create jobs opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of national industries to access global markets.

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