Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC) is in the process of expanding its portfolio with several new projects on the cards.
It announced recently it would implement three projects for constructing fibre glass pipes, bricks and industrial gases.
Total investment in these projects will be QR250 million ($68.7 million).
The company is raising production at Qatar Sand Treatment Plant from 17,000 tonnes per day (tpd) to 40,000 tonnes. QIMC has a 100 per cent holding in the company.
The Qatari Saudi Gypsum Industries Company will see annual production triple from 60,000 tonnes to 180,000 tonnes. QIMC, Qatar National Cement Company and National Gypsum Company each hold a 33.3 per cent stake in the gypsum project. Annual production is also set to rise at Qatar Clay Bricks Company from seven million blocks to 10 million by the end of this year. The private sector holds 53.65 per cent in this company and QIMC holds the rest.
QIMC made a net profit of QR116.2 million in 2006, an increase of 7 per cent over the previous year. Profits in the first nine months of 2007 were QR84.9 million.
The company was established in 1990 and the government holds 20 per cent of its shareholding.
“QIMC’s establishment was a clear manifestation of the particular attention given by Qatar to private sector participation in economic development through small and medium scale industries,” a QIMC statement said.
Its initial authorised capital was set at QR200 million. In 2006 it was increased by 50 per cent to QR300 million.
“QIMC started business in May 1990 only to become within a short period of time one of the pioneering companies in the field of small and medium scale industries in Qatar,” the statement said. Its activities extend to GCC countries Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman.
Currently, it has equity interests in 13 operational projects in industrial sectors including chemicals, petrochemicals, construction materials and food processing.
“QIMC’s investment strategy is essentially driven by the fundamental principle of investing in economically viable industrial projects that utilise locally or regionally available natural resources and intermediate products with the objective of catering for the needs of the domestic and export markets,” the statement said.
“Viewing its investment activity in the wider economic development context, it strives to maximise the macroeconomic benefits resulting from its investment activity to the national economy in terms of employment opportunities for the national labour force, transfer of modern technology and the structure of the country’s balance of trade.”
The company says it welcomes the participation of all investors and technology knowhow holders in joint ventures in viable small and medium-sized projects.