Doha: Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) has joined the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils (GFCC) in Washington, DC.
Dr. Thomas Zacharia, Executive Vice-President, Research and Development, Qatar Foundation and Chairman of QSTP Board, has been named to the GFCC Board.
QSTP, part of Qatar Foundation’s Research and Development (QF R&D), was created to help develop Qatar’s ‘post-carbon economy’ by encouraging companies and research institutes to create intellectual property and commercialise their technology in Qatar.
The GFCC, founded in 2010 as an international network of business leaders to promote economic growth through innovation and global collaboration, brings together organisations from over 30 countries to work on competitiveness issues and policy by sharing best practices and strategies.
With 45,000sqm of office and laboratory space, QSTP is the only technology park in the Middle East co-located with Qatar National Research Institutes and six international universities.
Members within QSTP Free Zone include subject matter experts, international corporations, and research institutions, which have collectively committed to investing in new programmes, creating intellectual property, enhancing technology management skills, and developing innovative new products.
There are over 40 companies that make QSTP their home, many of which were attracted to the potential collaboration with QF R&D’s adjacent 200,000sqm research and development complex.
As a member of GFCC and its Board, Dr. Zacharia will play an integral role in GFCC projects such as the development of a new type of ‘competitiveness scorecard’ and will help guide other key global GFCC initiatives.
“At the heart of the GFCC mission is the belief that a rising economic tide lifts all boats,” said Deborah Wince-Smith, President and CEO of US Council on Competitiveness and President of GFCC.
“We welcome Dr. Zacharia and QSTP to GFCC as like-minded and indispensable partners in this effort. QSTP’s role in planning and executing strategies to enhance Qatar’s position as a leading innovation and business hub should serve as a model for GFCC members.”
Dr. Zacharia said, “A portion of Qatar’s economic strategy is based upon advanced research to address national challenges such as energy, water, cyber security and healthcare.
“The solutions we discover will become the platform for a knowledge-based economy of new companies and new jobs.
“We have an opportunity and a responsibility to transform Qatar’s economy. Opportunities to exchange ideas with GFCC will be invaluable to achieving that goal.”
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