DOHA (Qatar), July 05, 2005 (Bernama)

Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement to join some of the world's biggest names in setting up operations in the upcoming Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) free zone.

The agreement for the engine maker to set up a research, testing and maintenance facility at the US$100 million free zone was signed on Sunday in London by Rolls-Royce chief executive Sir John Rose and QSTP chairman Dr Abdullah al-Kubaisi.

"The facility will be used to support new marine and aeronautical applications of the highly successful series of Rolls-Royce Trent engines," local newspapers, quoting a QSTP statement, said.

Rolls-Royce, which operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy - already has a considerable presence in Qatar with an agreement in place to power Qatar Airways' A340 fleet of aircraft, and another to supply industrial Trent engines for the 350-kilometre Qatar-UAE Dolphin undersea pipeline project.

Led by Rolls-Royce regional executive for the Middle East, Terry Holland, the project is to be implemented in two phases.

The first phase, to commence next month, will consist of the design of support infrastructure for the facility.

The second, targeted for next year, will see the full implementation and operation of the facility, plus development of a think-tank and post-graduate research programmes.

When completed, the QSTP will constitute more than 10 percent of the Qatar Foundation (QF) for Education, Science and Community Development's 1,000-hectare Education City just outside Doha.

EADS, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Shell and Total are among the multinationals which have signed up to be the anchor tenants of the QSTP.

The free zone, Qatar's first, offers not-for-profit leasing arrangements and allows 100 percent foreign ownership, unrestricted repatriation of capital and profits tax-free and duty-free import and export.

When its first phase opens in January 2006, there will be two 1,200 sq metres Innovation and Technology Transfer centres, a 1,200 sq metres Emerging Technology Centre (ETC), and National Data Centre (NDC) along with infrastructure including underground parking facilities and a state-of-the-art hazardous waste management.

Construction is currently underway at the QSTP with the involvement of, among others, Malaysia's Eversendai Engineering Group, which was earlier this year awarded a QR125 million (RM130 million) structural steel job there.