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Doha - Qatar

The Minister of Transport and Communications H.E. Jassim bin Saif Al-Sulaiti, and H.E. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Minister  of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), on Wednesday inaugurated the TASMU Digital Valley initiative, on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Qatar Information Technology Conference and Exhibition (QITCOM 2019), which is being held at the Qatar National Convention Centre until November 1.

Participants were shown a video presentation of the initiative during the inauguration ceremony anchored by Noor Al Kuwari, TASMU Digital Valley Project Manager. Following the inauguration, H.E. the Minister of Transport & Communications and the QFZA Chairman, accompanied by several senior state officials, toured the exhibition pavilions.

The launch of the initiative is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Transport & Communications (MoTC), in conjunction with the Qatar Free Zone Authority (QFZA), to attract more multinational digital companies to set up operations in Qatar and support local institutions and companies by enhancing their capabilities to compete internationally.

TASMU Digital Valley is an innovation cluster where different sectors can come together to help achieve the vision of Smart Qatar by linking digital solution providers with available opportunities in the market. The initiative, which is aimed at further enhancing the digital ecosystem in Qatar, will connect entrepreneurs, startups, investors, academics, researchers, students, multinational corporations and institutions with the common goal of innovating new digital solutions.

It will also help facilitate access to incubation and acceleration network, startup exchange programmes as well as co-working spaces and office set-up. Multinationals will be aided with business registration, access to specialized visa packages, open lab space, technology IP advisory and registration support, digital investment catalogue and the TASMU procurement platform.

Commenting on the initiative, HE Reem Al Mansoori, MoTC’s Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Society Development Sector, said, “We are proud of this new initiative which is part of MoTC’s strategy towards evolving a vibrant digital society in Qatar. With the TASMU Digital Valley initiative, the digital ecosystem in Qatar is set for a paradigm shift as it will play a major role in

fostering cooperation between Qatari digital businesses and global tech firms; resulting in the transformation of Qatar into a leading digital hub in the region.”

She added, “The initiative aims to identify and register the top global players in digital development and facilitate their entry into the Qatar market. Only by attracting the best companies and talent will we succeed in our goal of making Qatar a leading digital hub in the region in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Highlights of the launch include the signing of a partnership agreement between MoTC and QFZA as well as the unveiling of the TASMU Digital Valley portal and the Qatar Digital Investment Opportunities catalogue were also inaugurated at the Business Center Zone within the MoTC pavilion on the occasion.

Abdulla Al Misnad, Deputy CEO of QFZA, added: “Supporting the continued growth and enhancement of Qatar’s emerging technology sector is a key priority of QFZA’s, and we are proud to be a part of this initiative. Qatar’s technological infrastructure and high internet and smartphone penetration all make it a great place for digital and tech companies to establish operations, and Qatar Free Zones are specifically designed to allow investors to take full advantage. We look forward to working closely with the MoTC to bring the TASMU Digital Valley platform to life, welcoming more digital innovators to explore all Qatar and the Free Zones have to offer.”