The Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to solidify their commitment to sustainability.
The MoU aims to accelerate the adoption of green building practices within Qatar's free zones, aligning with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and contributing to the nation's climate goals, Gord said in a statement on Saturday.
The MoU was signed by founding Chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr and Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZ, Dr Ali al-Khalifa in a ceremony held at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone and attended by key representatives from both organisations.
Under the MoU, Gord and QFZ will collaborate on several key initiatives. They will work together to create comprehensive sustainability strategies and frameworks tailored to the specific needs of the free zones. QFZ will encourage businesses operating within free zones to implement the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for their facilities.
Developed by Gord, GSAS is the Mena region's first and fastest-growing performance-based green building rating system. It provides a comprehensive framework for assessing and certifying the environmental performance of buildings, promoting sustainable design, construction and operation. To encourage the adoption of GSAS, QFZ will consider incentivising buildings that achieve higher GSAS ratings.
Gord will support this effort by offering complimentary services in the initial stages of the certification process.
Speaking about the MoU, Alhorr said: "Free zones are vital engines of economic growth, playing a crucial role in attracting investment and driving innovation. However, true and lasting prosperity can only be achieved by embedding sustainability at the heart of these economic hubs. Our MoU with QFZ represents a shared commitment to not only supporting businesses in contributing to Qatar's economic growth, but also empowering them to achieve that growth in a truly sustainable manner. By partnering with QFZ on this initiative, we're confident that businesses within the free zones will have the resources and support they need to adopt sustainability best practices, minimize their carbon footprint, and contribute to a climate-resilient future for Qatar."
Al-Khalifa said: "This MoU with Gord is a significant step towards realizing our vision of becoming one of the worlds most sustainable free zones. Offering modern green infrastructure is only part of the equation. We are committed to incorporating sustainability in every aspect of our operations. By partnering with Gord and leveraging their expertise in sustainability, we are providing our businesses with the tools and support they need to achieve their own environmental goals, all while creating a truly sustainable ecosystem within our free zones."
As per the MoU, Gord and QFZ will also organize workshops, training sessions, and seminars to enhance the knowledge and skills of both parties and stakeholders in green building practices and GSAS implementation. The two entities will also collaborate on research projects focused on sustainability, innovation, and environmental research, contributing to the advancement of green building technologies and solutions.
The MoU was signed by founding Chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr and Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZ, Dr Ali al-Khalifa in a ceremony held at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone and attended by key representatives from both organisations.
The MoU was signed by founding Chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr and Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZ, Dr Ali al-Khalifa in a ceremony held at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone and attended by key representatives from both organisations.
The MoU was signed by founding Chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr and Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZ, Dr Ali al-Khalifa in a ceremony held at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone and attended by key representatives from both organisations.
The MoU was signed by founding Chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr and Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZ, Dr Ali al-Khalifa in a ceremony held at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone and attended by key representatives from both organisations.
The MoU was signed by founding Chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr and Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZ, Dr Ali al-Khalifa in a ceremony held at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone and attended by key representatives from both organisations.
The MoU was signed by founding Chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr and Chief Executive Officer for Zones Development at QFZ, Dr Ali al-Khalifa in a ceremony held at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone and attended by key representatives from both organisations.
