QDB Unveils Manarat Hub To Drive High-Tech Manufacturing

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) on Wednesday unveiled the Advanced Manufacturing Hub (Manarat), the first industrial complex of its kind in Qatar, dedicated to accelerating the adoption of advanced technology solutions and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies by next-generation factories in the country.

The announcement, made in partnership with the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, officially opened applications to join Manarat and occupy 16 ready-built factory units available in Qatar’s new industrial area.

Manarat embodies the national vision of building a highly advanced industrial sector in Qatar by providing an integrated manufacturing ecosystem that supports the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and smart infrastructure through cooperation with the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The name ‘Manarat’ (Lighthouses) reflects the center’s ambition for the factories it houses to serve as role models in advanced manufacturing and operational excellence, empowering them to join the WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network, which is considered one of the most prominent global benchmarks in industrial transformation.

Through Manarat, QDB aims to attract Qatar-based manufacturers and companies adopting advanced technology solutions, alongside international investors, to exchange knowledge and expertise and empower industrial value chains within a single ecosystem that supports growth and innovation. QDB also provides Manarat factories with integrated support through advisory services as well as financing and export solutions.

Commenting on this announcement, QDB Executive Director of SME Development Dr Hamad Salem Mejegheer said, “The Advanced Manufacturing Hub (Manarat) represents a significant step forward in QDB’s journey towards building a more developed, sustainable, and competitive industrial sector, in line with the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy 2024–2030, which seeks to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to non-hydrocarbon GDP, support the localisation of production, and create specialised jobs in advanced technology.”

He said, “Through this industrial complex, we are working with our partners to empower companies to accelerate their growth, expand production capacities, attract global expertise, and enrich specialized knowledge locally, reflecting our belief that investing in advanced manufacturing is a key pillar in strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading regional hub for industrial innovation and enabling our factories to join the WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network.”

Highlighting the significance of the announcement, Director of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) at the Ministry of Finance Dr Abdulaziz Khalid Al Ali said, “The announcement of Manarat is a major step towards stimulating innovation and elevating the competitiveness of Qatar’s industrial sector through the smart infrastructure and standards it provides, which align with global efforts supported by the World Economic Forum to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies. We are delighted to collaborate with our key partners in developing pioneering policies and providing state-of-the-art facilities that empower national manufacturers to set world-class examples of advanced manufacturing.”

Director of the Industrial Development Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Abdulla Ghanim Al Maadeed said, “The Advanced Manufacturing Hub (Manarat) represents a significant step in advancing the State of Qatar’s efforts to develop a more advanced and competitive industrial sector. It provides an enabling environment for the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and the application of technology and innovation to strengthen factories’ productioncapabilities.”

He also commended Qatar Development Bank’s role in implementing the initiative and the collaboration among relevant stakeholders to support the industrial sector and the private sector.

He said, “The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is working to accelerate digital transformation across the industrial sector, enhance factories’ digital readiness, and encourage the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced digital solutions to improve production efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of national industries. Manarat supports these efforts by expanding the adoption of advanced technologies and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise, in line with the objectives of the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy 2024–2030. Cumulative investment in the industrial sector reached QR248.44 billion in the second quarter of 2026.”

Regarding the sectors eligible to join the industrial complex, Manarat targets technology-driven, strategically important manufacturing fields, primarily medical devices, pharmaceuticals, electronics and telecommunications, robotics, and chemicals, alongside other related industries. Applications are assessed in two main stages: the first focuses on eligibility requirements and technical readiness, while the second evaluates the technical and commercial viability of the proposed projects.