Qtel Group co-finds first MEF Middle East Office at Qatar Science and Technology Park

The Mobile Innovation hub will play a major role in developing new mobile applications, solutions in health and education services, and will be a main driver for achieving an ecosystem for mobile innovation in the MENA region.

The MEF Middle East office will be based in the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) and will benefit from QSTP's expertise in the mobile industry. QSTP has recently demonstrated its active role in the market by successfully developing and launching the first regional Internet Multimedia platform aiming at making possible remote wireless monitoring by means of sensors. The Innovation Hub and QSTP will collaborate on a number of innovative projects of common interest that will leverage the exceptional skills and sectorial top capabilities from both institutions

The MEF Middle East office will be responsible for liaising with regional members and establishing a networking ecosystem, as well as localising strategic MEF initiatives for the MENA region.

Regular networking events will attract both existing and potential regional members, as well as attendees from MEF's global membership to encourage knowledge exchange. In addition, the localisation of key MEF initiatives will help bridge the innovation gap and stimulate further innovation in mobile services and products.

The office opening was underpinned by an agreement reached between Qtel International and fellow MEF member QU Wireless Innovations Centre (QUWIC) to foster mobile innovation, application development and localisation of content in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The move is also aligned with The Qtel Group's vision to be among the world's top 20 telecommunications providers by 2020.

"Mobile applications and content development are still in its infancy in the MENA region," commented Dr. Nasser Marafih, CEO of the Qtel Group. "Given the rapid growth in 3G networks and increased uptake in smartphones, local content represents the missing element to drive adoption of mobile data services. In Qatar, for example, 90% of the Internet content and traffic is international and only 5% is local1. By co-founding the establishment of the local MEF office, and our partnership with QSTP and QUWIC, we aim to support the creation of a sophisticated local mobile application and content ecosystem to accelerate growth of the mobile content industry in the MENA region."

"We are delighted that our plans to have presence in the MENA region through the MEF Middle East office in Qatar have come to fruition and are looking forward to working with our partners to accelerate growth in mobile media," commented Gerrit Jan Konijnenberg MEF EMEA Chairman. "The mobile entertainment sector is a $36bn global industry and the Middle East was identified as a key growth market in our most recent membership survey. By engaging stakeholders across the value chain, at both a local and international level, we aim to stimulate further innovation and growth and create competitive advantage for our members."

Dr. Tidu Maini, Science and Technology Advisor, Chairman Qatar Science & Technology Park said: "We would like to welcome the Qtel Group and Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) to QSTP, which is a further evidence of our active involvement into mobile innovation research in Qatar and the region. We are delighted to add another renowned organization to our portfolio of collaborations with leading international companies, mainly in the field of technology. The creation of new technology is at the heart of our vision, which is aligned to Qatar's 2030 vision."

QSTP was opened in 2009 with funding from the Qatar Foundation. The park is an obvious location choice - a hub for innovation, it is home to international technology brands and an incubator for start-up companies, as well as the site for several leading universities.