Enoc Lubricants, a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) LLC, has appointed an exclusive distributor in Qatar for its growing range of world-class lubricants following a successful year of pilot sales in the Gulf state.

The distribution contract has gone to Doha's Al Attiya Motor & Trading Company, one of Qatar's leading trading groups which has the agency for Kia Motors and Renault trucks and the country distributorship for Firestone tyres.

The contract was signed in Dubai by Hussain Sultan, EnocGroup chief executive and board member, and Tayyeb Al Mulla, chief executive, Enoc International Refining and Marketing and Abdul Aziz Al Attiya, managing director and Mohammed Maali, general manager of Al-Attiya.

"This distributor award follows a 2002 sales trial in Qatar during which Enoc exceeded its target," said Sultan. "Now with a distributorship firmly in place we hope to further increase sales and raise the Group profile across Qatar through prominent signage and promotional campaigns."

Qatar becomes the 20th international market for Enoc lubricants, which are now on sale across the Middle East, subcontinent, Africa, the Far East and the CIS.

"Qatar is an extremely important addition to our international automotive lubricants network with recent analysts' figures showing huge growth in the country in terms of real GDP and labour force," said Al Mulla. "The labour force in Qatar grew by 6.6 per cent last year - more than any other Middle East state in percentage terms."

In Qatar, ENOC Lubricants will focus on its core products Protec Super and Protec Max 20W50 for the gasoline range, and Vulcan 660X and Vulcan 550X for the diesel range.

Established in 1998, Enoc Lubricants has developed its own quality range of branded automotive, industrial and marine lubricants, which are produced at a state-of-the-art blending plant.

"Following extensive regional research, Enoc lubricants are best suited to countries with demanding climatic conditions. Enoc Lubricant's two flagship products - the Protec gasoline engine oil range and Vulcan diesel engine oil range - are the preferred brands of discerning international customers," the company says.