Deal signed to set up Qatar’s 1st plant for electric vehicles
The €20mn joint venture between French Gaussin Company and Qatar’s Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company to be established in Ras Bufontas Free Zone
Qatar Free Zones Authority announced the signing of an agreement to establish the first factory to assemble electric vehicles in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, with French Gaussin Advance Mobility Company.
The €20mn joint venture between Gaussin Company and Qatar’s 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 in the Business Innovation Park at Ras Bufontas Free Zone, was attended by HE the Minister of State and chairman of QFZA Ahmad bin Mohamed al-Sayed; Abdul Aziz alAttiya, chairman, Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company; Christophe Gaussin, chief Executive Officer, Gaussin Company (through video conference from France); and Lim Meng Hui, CEO, QFZA, among other senior officials.
The agreement was signed by Abdulla al-Misnad, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of QFZA; Christophe Gaussin, Chief Executive Officer of Gaussin Company through video conference; and Mohamed Maali, CEO, Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company.
HE 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 centre 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.”
Abdul Aziz al-Attiya said: “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 His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and along with the pursuance of Qatar’s National Vision of 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, Christophe 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 HE Abdul Aziz al-Attiya, HE Ahmad al-Sayed and the team at QFZ 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% green and autonomous.”
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.”
Qatar Free Zones will support similar initiatives that set the business ecosystem to create jobs opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of national industries to access global markets. Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company is one of the largest privatelyowned businesses in Qatar and has exclusive distribution rights to some of the world’s leading brands as well as its own Qatari brand names.
Gaussin Manugistique is an engineering company that designs, assembles and sells innovative products and services in the transport and logistics field. Its know-how encompasses cargo and passenger transport, autonomous technologies allowing for self-driving solutions such as Automotive Guided Vehicles, and the integration of all types of batteries, electric and hydrogen fuel cells. With more than 50,000 vehicles worldwide, Gaussin enjoys a strong reputation in four fast-expanding markets: port terminals, airports, logistics and people mobility.