Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) has signed a coordination mechanism with the General Directorate of Civil Defense at the Ministry of Interior to enhance joint cooperation and develop mechanisms and strategies for the necessary procedures to ensure the safety and security facilities.
This move will streamline investors’ affairs and procedures, and improve the operational efficiency of companies operating within the free zones by providing a safe working environment for their employees to help achieve sustainable growth and increase productivity.
QFZ CEO Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani and Director General of Civil Defense Major General Hamad Othman Al Duhaimi signed the coordination mechanism at an official ceremony held at the Business Innovation Park in Ras BufontasFree Zone.
This cooperation reflects QFZ’s commitment to providing the highest international safety and security standards across its buildings and facilities.
On this occasion, Qatar Free Zones Authority CEO Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani said that, “Our collaboration with the General Directorate of Civil Defense is an important step towards enhancing the investment ecosystem in the free zones in Qatar. This coordination mechanism sets a framework for following fast, easy, and effective procedures and protocols that include reviewing designs and conducting inspection operations for buildings under construction in the free zones within a short period.”
“Our partnership with Civil Defense is an addition to our efforts to provide a thriving and safer economic environment, and stems from our firm commitment to providing the highest safety standards for our investors while giving top priority to sustainability standards in line with the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030,” Al Thani added.
Under this mechanism, the collaboration between the two parties will focus on several key areas aligned with the highest international standards, including integrated and effective procedures for reviewing building designs by QFZ before submitting them to the General Directorate of Civil Defense for approval, QFZ’s commitment to implementing Civil Defense codes and recommendations in this regard, and coordination of inspection operations for buildings and facilities.
It also stipulates QFZ’s commitment to appointing a consultant to review designs submitted by investors’ consultants, ensuring that companies operating in the free zones have maintenance companies accredited by the General Directorate of Civil Defense to carry out periodic maintenance of all fire prevention and safety systems and follow up on their reports, and making the necessary adjustments for a safer environment for their employees.
Major General Hamad Othman Al Duhaimi, Director General of Civil Defense – Ministry of Interior, said that, “The Coordination Mechanism signed with Qatar Free Zones Authority is an important step towards ensuring the application of safety standards across the country’s sectors and facilities, which contributes to supporting growth and prosperity at all levels. It also constitutes a cornerstone in the framework of strengthening the joint approach between the two parties to provide the highest levels of safety and security.”
