The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) announced today its relocation to Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). New QFC firms will be able to operate from this new designation starting mid-2017. Existing firms can decide to migrate then, or starting 2018. This relocation will serve as a foundation for Qatar’s new financial city.

Unlike other financial zones in the region, this new financial city will be open to all businesses, local and international and will not be exclusively restricted to QFC licensed firms. As such, it will be closer to other international financial and business districts. The mixed-use development will comprise more than 100 buildings, with a combination of prime commercial and residential properties, retail, cultural and entertainment areas.

The inclusion of a number of national entities and government buildings within Msheireb Downtown Doha as a whole represents a significant step toward the realisation of deeper collaboration and economic integration. Msheireb Downtown Doha will encompass five heritage quarters and multiple geographic phases. Tenants will include major government buildings, heritage quarters, four heritages houses within Msheireb Museums, a school and the National Archive, as well as the recently opened Mosque. The result will be a lively urban neighbourhood, which as well as hosting the Qatar Financial Centre and its licensed firms, will also offer leisure facilities and a number of residences including townhouses, upscale apartments and hotels, all centred around a new public square, Barahat Msheireb.

Announcing the QFC’s newest and largest designation, CEO Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida said: “The Qatar National Vision 2030 economic development pillar stipulates the need for open and flexible economic structures, which QFC offers through its business-friendly platform. It also states the need for the creation of a stimulating business climate capable of attracting foreign funds and technologies, and encouraging national investments. At the QFC, we have been steadily building such an environment. Through this relocation, we are taking a giant leap forward on the path of economic diversification.”

“The Qatar Financial Centre’s relocation to Msheireb Downtown Doha is representative of Msheireb Properties enduring promise of enhancing the economic and financial dynamism at Msheireb Downtown Doha. It also revives the history of Msheireb area which has always been a major centre of business and trade. This designation is further emblematic of our commitment to driving leadership, innovation and excellence through challenging convention and finding new methods of leveraging our developments for the way people and companies live, work and conduct business in an integrated, enriching and sustainable mixed-use community,” said Msheireb Properties CEO Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi.

Al-Mehshadi added: “Msheireb Downtown is distinguished by its high-tech infrastructure and being a leader in smart city solutions which consists of state-of-the-art technology that integrates multiple information and communications systems required in the financial sector. Additionally, this relocation will impart confidence to international investors and partners, and will enhance Qatar’s position as a major regional and international financial hub. This will play a central role in diversifying the economy as part of our pledge to the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Offering businesses and their occupants a modern integrated working lifestyle, Msheireb Downtown Doha blends traditional Qatari heritage and aesthetics with modern technology, and has a strong focus on sustainability. With more than 100 buildings targeting LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) gold and platinum ratings, it will be home to the world’s highest concentration of LEED buildings in the world.

The project also leads in terms of transportation and facilities with cars and traditional services placed underground and a full-scale public transport network, with the aim of creating a pedestrian and environmentally friendly atmosphere. The project will be served by Msheireb station, which has been billed as the hub of the upcoming Metro network, being the major interchange station for the lines.

Following the QFC’s relocation and move of QFC firms, other QFC entities including the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA), the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) and the Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA) will relocate as well. Their relocation is expected to be complete in 2019.

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has announced that the Msheireb Mosque, located in the heritage quarter of Msheireb Downtown Doha, is now open to the public for prayers.

Located within Phase 1 of Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), the Msheireb Mosque is in close proximity to the Msheireb Museums and is easily accessible from around the Msheireb neighbourhood and the adjoining souq area. Spread over an area of 1,400sqm, the newly unveiled mosque can accommodate 600 worshipers, and house dedicated prayer halls for both men and women. It also has a dedicated parking area and lifts from the basement.

Msheireb mosque incorporates a specifically tailored daylight and sunlight design, to create dynamic sun patches inspired by Qatari motifs within the main hall during prayer hours, and needs no artificial lighting during daylight hours. Embracing key principles of Islamic art, geometric patterns and designs, the Msheireb Mosque fuses Modernist ideas with a historically familiar arrangement of Islamic volumes, spaces and thresholds.
The concept of the mosque is based on the principles of simplicity, functionality and spirituality of traditional Qatari mosques combined with a modern interpretation to create a calm and serene environment for prayer and worship.

The mosque features a beautiful facade and landscaping with pomegranate, olive and date trees which are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The design of the building is based on traditional Qatari mosques, which have for centuries used orientation, shading, natural ventilation and water to create comfortable environments for prayer and worship.

Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer at Msheireb Properties, said, “The new Msheireb Mosque is a major milestone in this new, dynamic area. Our aim was to develop a sanctuary for worshipers that embrace the key principles of Islamic art and architecture. In line with our commitment to preserve Qatar’s heritage and religious traditions, it will offer worshipers a comfortable and calm environment to pray. We look forward to giving the community an opportunity to experience the new mosque.”

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and Qatar’s leading sustainable developer, celebrated the International Museum Day 2016 with interactive activities at Msheireb Museums that helped raise awareness of the importance of protecting and enhancing the cultural landscape in Qatar.

Located in the Heritage Quarter at Msheireb Downtown Doha, Msheireb Museums hosted students, academics, media and other invited guests from key local Ministries and educational establishments to mark the 2016 edition of the global event held under the theme ‘Museums and Cultural Landscapes’.
There were several elements to Msheireb Museums’ celebration of culture on International Museum Day 2016 that began with opening remarks from Hafiz Ali, Director of Msheireb Museums. The first of these was a lecture delivered by Dr. Robert Carter, Professor of Arabian and Middle Eastern Archaeology at UCL Qatar, who shared his insights into the development of Msheireb and Doha with evidence from archaeology, oral history, maps and aerial imagery. Dr. Carter specialises in the Archaeology of the Arab and Islamic World and has extensive knowledge into the origins of the Gulf towns.

The very insightful talk was followed by a panel discussion on the challenges in adapting the heritage houses used by Msheireb Museums to make them suitable for the 21st century, including the methods of restoration, protection and conservation used to create ‘living heritage’.
Guests were also invited to explore a photo gallery exhibit, which showcased the architecture of Msheireb’s Museums, beautifully combined with local poetry.

Eng. Ali Al-Kuwari, Chief Officer- Design and Delivery at Msheireb Properties, said: “Msheireb Museums is a cultural and heritage benchmark at Msheireb Downtown Doha, where visitors can experience the way of life in the past. The museums are equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology that allows the guest to have an in-depth understanding of major events that have shaped our history. On the occasion of the International Museums Day, it was our pleasure to host these events that enhance the cultural scene in Doha. We hope our guests have enjoyed this experience and have a better understanding of some of our heritage treasures.”

International Museum Day has been acknowledged on May 18 since 1977, with more than 35,000 museums participating in 2015 across 145 countries. The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.

Msheireb Museums mark a very significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable regeneration project. The Museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. They reveal unique aspects of Qatar’s cultural and social development in inspiring to create trusted environments in which the people of Qatar will engage, converse and exchange.

Msheireb Museums are an integral aspect of the inner city’s regeneration of the old commercial centre with its traditional community-based lifestyle. The restoration of the four heritage houses, Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House, into world-class museums forms a vital part of the Msheireb Downtown Doha development.

Platinum Sponsor Of Third Annual Event Organised To Support The Advancement Of The Nations Migrant Workers Community

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has confirmed its continued support to protecting the rights of migrant workers in Qatar, as Platinum Sponsor of the third annual conference on Labour Rights Protection, to be held on the 1st of May to mark the International Workers Day.

Following two successful editions in 2014 and 2015, the third annual conference will be held under the theme “Paramount Reforms”, and will highlight the importance of cancelling the Kafala system and implementation of more stringent practices and measures to ensure the rights of workers are respected and protected. The conference will also present case studies on best practices from Qatar and the region, and discuss reports conducted by private companies in their efforts to safeguard labour rights and provide an improved situation for migrant workers in Qatar.

Held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for Qatar, the daylong conference will include two active sessions and will conclude with the launch of the latest ‘White Book’ that highlights the major achievements and challenges for further development and advancement of the country’s blue collar community. The event will also honour private and public institutions that have made significant contributions in this field.

Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties, said, “We are proud to be once again supporting this key initiative, which represents a vital development pillar of our 2030 National Vision. As a nation, we are committed to providing high-standards of work and living conditions to all workers”.

“Msheireb Properties pays a lot of importance to ensuring the overall well-being and safety of this very important community who are helping transform our country, and we strongly believe that dignified working and living conditions are essential to unlocking true human potential and development. At, Msheireb Properties, we carefully and constantly monitor the issue of human rights and all contractors assigned to the project must abide by the regulations set out in our Migrant Workers’ Welfare Charter, in addition to Qatar’s own labour laws. We are confident that the outcomes from the conference will further support the advancement of the country’s migrant workforce and help us all make better informed decisions.”

The event will bring together local government officials, representatives of international and local rights organizations and decision makers from private companies to discuss and debate this pertinent issue and develop policies and recommendations that will benefit the large migrant workforce and assist with sustained growth and development of Qatar.

Key topics to be discussed during the conference includes the role of the government in protecting worker rights and new reforms implemented to improve their conditions, responsibilities of operating companies to safeguard worker interests, vision and mission of human rights and labour organizations for enhancing work relationships, sharing best practices from responsible organizations in Qatar and the relevance of local laws and international standards amongst others.

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and Qatar’s leading sustainable developer, has won the ‘Best Conserving Building’ Award in the Government sector category at the fourth annual ‘Conserving Building Competition’ organised by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa).

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al- Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and as part of Kahramaa’s National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency-Tarsheed, the competition recognises buildings that promote best practices in conservation of energy, water and other natural resources for continued sustainable development of Qatar.

The award was presented to Eng. Abdulla Al Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer of Msheireb Properties, at a ceremony held in Doha.

Msheireb Properties was applauded for its innovative approach to sustainable development and regeneration, and won the ‘Best Conserving Building’ award in the Government sector category for its work on the Qatar Academy Msheireb. Opened in September 2015, it’s officially the first building to start operations in Msheireb Downtown Doha and spans an area of 12,754 square meters. The world class establishment contains a spacious swimming pool, a dedicated dining area, music and art rooms, basketball and volley ball courts, a gymnasium, as well as a comprehensive library.

Judged by an elite panel of industry experts, the competition witnessed a strong participation from leading organisations representing diverse business sectors in Qatar and was held under the theme ‘Become one with nature’. Open to all existing residential, commercial, government and industrial buildings as well as sports and tourism venues, the competition is designed to raise awareness on the long-term benefits of building conservation and encourages consumers to adopt energy preservation practices for a better environment and improved living conditions.

Commenting on the win, Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO, Msheireb Properties said, “We are delighted to receive the ‘Best Conserving Building Award’ which reflects our commitment to restore the historical significance of the commercial heart of the city, and introduce a brand-new architectural language that will add to the pride of Doha and its people. At Msheireb Downtown Doha, we have always strived to set the standards for sustainable development by adopting environmentally responsible practices and have consistently delivered on our promise. This award is a testament to the projects overall architectural design that is built on key sustainability principles to achieve a greatly reduced carbon footprint, making it a model for urban regeneration. The opening of Qatar Academy Msheireb is a significant milestone in the projects development as it reinforces our commitment to create an environment which caters to all the needs of our residents, while also nurturing a sense of community living that will be visible through the entire development.”

“It has been a truly exciting time for all of us at Msheireb Properties, and such recognitions serve as an inspiration to raise the bar even more for responsible development in Qatar and the region, and help preserve resources for future generations.”

Msheireb Downtown Doha is a wholly sustainable project that focuses on environmental conservation and energy efficiency. This translates to more efficient use of resources, minimised waste and reduced carbon footprint. To date, Msheireb Properties has earned the ISO certification from the British Standards Institution for quality (ISO 9001:2008), environmental performance (ISO 14001:2004), and occupational health, safety (BS OHSAS 18001:2007) and ISO 31000:2009 for Risk Management Standard.