Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council establishes formal relationships with key innovation actors in Spain
Partnerships aim to enhance cooperation and facilitate links between the innovation ecosystems in Qatar and Spain
Press Release
May 30, 2022
Doha, Qatar: As part of its efforts to enhance cooperation and establish links with key global players in innovation, the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on the sidelines of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s recent visit to Spain. QRDI Secretary General Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari signed the first MoU with Her Excellency Mrs. Diana Morant, Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation (MCIN), with a second one with Mr. Javier Ponce Martinez, Director General of Spain’s Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI).
Commenting on the agreements, Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari said: “Strengthening cooperation and establishing connections with global actors in the field is essential for the development of a national innovation system. At QRDI Council, we seek to build relationships with those actors that have similar ambitions. These partnerships help better identify opportunities, encouraging communication to lead innovation in different sectors while developing Qatar’s capabilities and advancing the objectives of our National Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 2030.”
Building on close bilateral relations and strong cooperation between the governments of the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Spain, the MoU with MCIN aims to promote and enhance joint work in the field of research and innovation, share knowledge as well as expertise, build institutional capacities for the national innovation ecosystem, and support the growth of the private sector and technology-based startups. Under the MoU, the parties will cooperate to advance the growth and development of economic sectors of strategic interest, especially health, environment, energy, agriculture, food, transport and information and communication technology. They will cooperate in industrial and academic affairs, conduct joint research and development projects, create innovative industrial clusters, and exchange knowledge and intellectual property protocols.
The MoU with the CDTI aims to share experiences and support the competitiveness of national industries in the two countries through joint projects on industrial research and technological development. The two parties will cooperate to develop technological innovation policies, support and finance the business and industry sectors to jointly develop technological cooperation projects, and finance research and development in economic sectors of strategic interest for the two countries.
The QRDI Council works closely with partners both inside Qatar and internationally, bringing diverse stakeholders together to build an innovation-forward environment that attracts talent and cutting-edge technologies and helps diversify the Qatari economy.