Qatar industrial area for small, medium businesses underway

Qatar's first industrial area for small and medium scale industries will become operational by 2008, the ministry of energy and industry announced.

"The project is part of the authorities' efforts to provide suitable investment opportunities to local and foreign investors, as well as encouraging the local private sector," said Jasem Abdullah Al Malki, an official at the department of industrial development, <i>Gulf News</i> reported.

Over one billion Qatari riyals have been allocated for the project. The first phase worth 406 million riyals is currently under way.