Energy City Qatar launched

Dubai: The Middle East's first energy business centre, Energy City Qatar, was officially launched yesterday under the patronage of Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar.

Energy City Qatar will be the Middle East's first full-service energy business centre catering to the commercial, technical and human resource needs of the oil and gas industry operating in the region, with cutting-edge facilities and services. It will also be home to a dedicated energy trading platform, the International Mercantile Exchange (IMEX), which will be regulated by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority.

Bill Gates, chairman and Chief Software Architect of Microsoft Corporation said: "Microsoft has had a presence in Qatar for several years and we are committed to investing in the country, its people and its businesses. With the launch of Energy City Qatar, we have the opportunity to work together to create new tools and solutions that will enable oil and gas companies to achieve new levels of performance in every phase of their business.

"As the world's first integrated energy business centre, Energy City Qatar will be an international showcase for the next generation of technology innovations and promises to play a major role in the economic and social development of this vitally important region of the world. We look forward to contributing in the success of Energy City Qatar and to continuing to deliver technology that can help the global energy industry achieve peak performance."

Gulf Energy, the consortium of international energy experts behind Energy City Qatar, recently signed an MoU with Microsoft.

Esam Janahi, chairman of Gulf Energy said, "The Middle East accounts for over 60 per cent of the world's proven oil reserves and over 40 per cent of the world's natural gas reserves. But, the region doesn't have a dedicated energy business centre. Energy City Qatar was conceived with the central aim of filling this void and positively contributing to the economic development of Qatar and the region."