Qatar Business Incubation Center launches fabrication laboratory

Doha: Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) - owned by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), yesterday launched the country’s latest Fab Lab, which is located within QBIC’s headquarters in the New Industrial Area. The launch event was attended by H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of QDB.
Fab Lab – short for Fabrication Laboratory is owned by QBIC and managed by ibTECHar Digital Solutions, a QBIC incubated startup.
Fab Lab is a small-scale workshop that provides individuals with a wide range of state-of-the-art computer-controlled tools and programmes that help them digitally fabricate products and prototypes – of almost anything - for their personal and professional development.  
Qatar Development Bank CEO and QBIC Chairman Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa said, “Over the past year, local entrepreneurs have proved their perseverance and have risen to the challenge, with numerous new ideas, initiatives and innovations that aim to strengthen Qatar’s economy. At QBIC we’ve been working hard to provide these entrepreneurs with all the means and tools they need in order to help them grow and succeed in local, regional and international markets. Launching QBIC’s Fab Lab is another powerful tool we’re offering ambitious, local entrepreneurs, and we’re truly proud to have one of our own manage it.”
Aysha Al Mudahka, QBIC’s CEO said: “It’s a proud moment for us to be partnering up with one of our incubated startups - ibTECHar. Building on their expertise, we’re launching Fab Lab in hopes of promoting and really pushing forward the concept of manufacturing and industrialisation as well as encouraging the younger generation to explore the latest fabrication technologies. We want to provide innovators with a platform on which they can produce prototypes of their creation, as well as opening our doors to school and university students, professionals and entrepreneurs from all over Qatar – this is a tool for all of them to benefit from.”
In addition to the QCB governor, the launch was attended by several esteemed guests, VIPs and business leaders from different leading organisations & entities in Qatar.
During the launch, guests were given an exclusive tour of the Fab Lab and got a first-hand glimpse of the cutting-edge tech in action. A panel discussion also took place during the event, which highlighted the real-world applications of a Fab Lab, as well as how people can benefit from the tools & technologies within to test prototypes, products and much more.