Prince of Wales visits Qatar Science and Technology Park

Prince Charles of Wales on Thursday visited the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), a Qatar Foundation affiliate, as part of his visit to Qatar. During the visit, Prince Charles was briefed on the work of QSTP as a home for technology companies from all over the world, especially start-ups. QSTP Managing Director Hamad Mohamed Al-Kuwari explained to the prince the objectives of the park which aims to attract leading world companies to develop their technologies and market them internationally. The visit also saw Prince Charles tour the Williams Technology Centre, the site of Formula 1 British team Williams at QSTP, touring the center, which is considered the first of its kind out of Europe. QSTP is the national agency charged with executing applied research and delivering commercialized technologies in four areas: energy, environment, health sciences, and information and communication technologies. It aims to encourage companies and institutes from around the world to develop and commercialize their technology in Qatar, and to help entrepreneurs launch technology businesses. Several international firms have joined QSTP with the objective of merging research and business in order to push forward the path of science and knowledge. ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Shell, Total, the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), General Electric, Qatar Petroleum, and Chevron are some of the names affiliated with QSTP.