Qatalum - future catalyst for growth

Qatalum will also purchase goods and services. The Social Impact Assessment for the project revealed that  the creation of  700 indirect and induced jobs from the supply chain is expected, along with considerably increased household spending in the local economy.

Further spin-off benefits in the form of downstream employment could result in some 2,400 jobs over the next twenty years.

Qatalum management is already experiencing a keen interest from entrepreneurs considering  setting up businesses to either supply Qatalum, and the fast growing aluminium industry in the Gulf region, with goods and services, or to produce finished or semi-finished products based on input from Qatalum.

Qatar Economic Zones
The Minister of Economy and Commerce in Qatar has launched what are known as "Qatar Economic Zones (QEZ)” to attract direct foreign investment to Qatar. The largest zone in Qatar, approximately 78 km2, is located north of the Qatalum plant in Mesaieed Industrial City.

Qatalum has taken part in a task-force with the QEZ to analyze the potential aluminium finishing market, identify key success factors and investor requirements.

“Qatalum will focus on the production of primary aluminium casthouse products like extrusion ingots (billets) and foundry alloys, and will not take a direct interest in aluminium finishing industries or supplier industries”, states Qatalum General Manager Truls Gautesen. “But Qatalum is prepared to share its experience and network by taking an active part in a dialogue concerning such initiatives. We see our role as a future catalyst for growth in the manufacturing sector in Qatar.”

Creating jobs
When in operation, Qatalum will provide more than 1,000 permanent jobs in the local community of Mesaieed, and will be part of Qatar’s expanding economic diversification.

The project will create approximately 5,500 jobs for the three-year construction period.

The Social Impact Assessment estimates that the project development will generate approximately US$ 200 million expenditure on construction materials and services in the Qatar economy, which could be equivalent to 2,000 jobs in addition to on-site construction workers.

Downstream diversification
When Qatalum is in operation, it is expected that the direct Gross Domestic Product in Qatar will be  enhanced by approximately USD 1.5 billion per annum, or 5.5% of prevailing GDP, and potentially double that figure when the impacts of downstream or economic diversification of the project are taken into account.

The planned development of Qatalum will offer increased opportunities for the commercial  expansion of shops, restaurants, and coffee houses, and service provision to offices and factories, as well as in hotels, hostels, and  tourism in the local area of Mesaieed and the rest of Qatar.