QSTP is based next to Doha’s Education City and aims to encourage multinationals, existing companies and start-up firms to develop technology in the country.

Tenants can lease space in multi-user offices or commission their own buildings for design and construction by QSTP. Companies cannot buy land or property at QSTP, but can lease premises for up to 15 years in multi-purpose buildings, or lease back those they have commissioned. There are two types of shared building: the innovation centre, which contains furnished offices with common facilities for small start-ups; and tech centres, which accommodate offices and laboratories suitable for medium-sized businesses.

Education City is also a Qatar Foundation initiative and collaboration is encouraged with the universities there, which include branches of US institutions Carnegie Mellon, Texas A&M and Weill Cornell Medical College.

There are strict criteria for becoming a member of QSTP. Companies must be involved in ‘the development or transfer of technology’, and the majority of their activities must contribute to the advancement of technology. Members’ activities fall into categories such as applied research, development and testing of products and services, and technology-related testing. QSTP measures a company’s involvement in terms of headcount, so a 10-person company will be eligible for membership if five or more of its staff are involved in suitable activities.

Member companies have access to free or subsidised mentoring and training programmes, and QSTP also distributes funds to aid technology firms in Qatar. The Proof of Concept fund provides grants for researchers to enable them to demonstrate product viability, and the $30m New Enterprise Fund provides start-up capital for companies at the park. There are also free zone benefits, such as 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies, no taxes, and the ability to trade directly with other companies in Qatar.

Local and international firms with offices at QSTP include EADS, ExxonMobil, GE, Microsoft, Shell and Total.

Benefits

• Incorporate a local company, or operate as a branch of a foreign company
• 100 per cent foreign ownership
• Trade without local agent or sponsor
• Hire expatriate employees
• No taxes
• Duty-free import of goods and services
• Unrestricted repatriation of capital and profits