Doha, September 19 (QNA) - 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 "Gaussin Advance Mobility" Company. The 20 million euros joint venture between the French Gaussin Company and 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 Mohammed Al Sayed, Chairman of Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company Abdul Aziz Al Attiya, Chief Executive Officer of Gaussin Company Christophe Gaussin through video conference from France and, and CEO of QFZA Lim Meng Hui and senior officials from QFZA.

The agreement was signed by Deputy Chief Executive Officer of QFZA Abdulla Al Misnad; Chief Executive Officer of Gaussin Company Christophe Gaussin through video conference, and CEO of Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company Mohammad Maali.

HE Minister of State and Chairman of QFZA Ahmed bin Mohamed 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 center 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."

Chairman of Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company Abdul Aziz Al Attiya said: "We are honored 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, Chief Executive Officer of Gaussin 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 recognized in the transportation and logistics industry and our business is gaining momentum, and this agreement will pave the way for long-term cooperation in favor of cleaner vehicles."

"We have no doubt that, 'Gaussin Advance Mobility', will contribute to Qatar National Vision 2030's goal of making Qatar 100 percent green and autonomous."

QFZA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Abdulla 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. (QNA)