ALI AL KUWARI
As one of the leading real estate developers in Qatar, Msheireb is setting an example by building the world's smartest and most sustainable district.
BIOGRAPHY
Ali Al Kuwari is the acting CEO of Msheireb Properties. He has 18 years of experience in the fields of cost and planning, engineering, and project management. He has successfully implemented many projects in Qatar, including the construction of the Ras Laffan Cracker, LPG Tanks at Mesaieed, QNCC's new fuel gas supply pipeline in Dukhan, the Family Affairs HQ in Doha, and the University of Qatar's multipurpose hall. Before joining Msheireb Properties, he held multiple positions at Technip and spent 15 years at Qatar Petroleum. He holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Miami and an executive MBA from HEC Paris in Qatar.
Can you give us an overview of your project in downtown Doha?
As one of the foremost real estate developers in Qatar, Msheireb Properties is leading the 35-ha, QAR20-billion Msheireb Downtown Doha project. The objective is to transform it into an area that is rich with mixed-use developments. Ours is the first pure mixed-use development in downtown Doha. Moreover, we are developing the old city and introducing a new architectural language that is based on Qatar's history. Notably, the tents and batons we are using utilize our natural climate, where the wind from the north ensures a constant breeze between the narrow streets.
What innovations are you incorporating in your downtown project?
We have a focus on sustainability, and our project is in line with the government's goals and our country's Vision 2030. Soon, we will acquire 100 LEED certification from USGBC. We have incorporated solar panels to heat the water and generate energy. We want to make our city different from any other city in Qatar or the region. We are focused on smart solutions and are investing heavily in building the infrastructure of the future. We offer smart homes where you can control most of the features in your house through a mobile phone. Other than that, as a part of the smart solution, we provide daily, weekly, and monthly power consumption reports. We also focus on education and culture. We are converting four old houses into museums.
What do you plan to open in 2019?
We consider 2019 as the activation year for Msheireb Downtown Doha. Given the scale of the project, we divided it into six phases, and at present we are in Phase 1C. We opened our school, Qatar Academy Msheireb, three years ago and recently, in February 2019, we inaugurated the first Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the Middle East, as well as the Alwadi Hotel MGallery. The next phase will focus on the development of retail spaces; a number of shops have already been allocated and leased. We kept each space as an empty box so that every retailer can design the area according to their own identity. Equally important, we have completed our first residential tower, named Wadi 1, and have already leased 45 of its 72 units. The first residents will start moving in August 2019.
Can you highlight the logistic connections of the development?
We have the largest railway station in Msheireb Downtown Doha, which connects all three main rain lines. Our own tram system is also up and running. One of the most important features is the location of our development. Once the rail line is extended, Msheireb will be only six to seven minutes away from Qatar Foundation, making it extremely convenient for business people. Once entities from the Qatar Financial Center move to Msheireb Downtown Doha, we will try to bring back the financial hub, like it was in the old days. In terms of parking, we have space for over 10,000 cars. We are also building a service tunnel, dedicated to the loading and unloading of trucks and heavy-duty vehicles.
How will the application of the free zones regulation attract foreign companies?
We are attracting smart companies, especially incubators and entrepreneurs. We recently signed an MoU with Huawei to open an experience store in Msheireb, and we are offering a similar proposal to Samsung. We have been in talks with Apple and Tesla and are working on incorporating a Microsoft Experience Store to show how their products are helping communities. Under the Qatar National Vision 2030, Msheireb will become a part of the free zone map. We are focusing on IT companies, creative companies, and companies focusing on innovation and high tech. We have had great success so far: Monoprix is opening its first smart store, and HSBC is opening its first digital branch in Msherieb Downtown Doha.
ALI AL KUWARI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
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Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
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Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
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Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
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Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
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A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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