Al-Hammadi and Stordiau shake hands after concluding the MoU between Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC) and Belgian engineering consultant and port and logistical operator Rent-A-Port. Princess Astrid of Belgium and Qatar’s ambassador to Belgium Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani were among those present.

Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC) and Belgian engineering consultant and port and logistical operator Rent-A-Port have signed an agreement to initiate work on a limestone and gabbro quarry besides a 1km long jetty in Oman.
QPMC recently acquired two licences to set up mining operations in Khatmat Malaha, Oman.
The jetty will be used to transport more than 3mn tonnes of gabbro and marketable primary materials every year by barges to Qatar.
The signing ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton was attended by Princess Astrid of Belgium, Qatar’s ambassador to Belgium Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani among other dignitaries from both countries.
The MoU was signed by QPMC chief executive officer Eisa al-Hammadi, and Rent-A-Port managing director Marc Stordiau.
The agreement commissions Rent-A-Port to provide consultancy and manage the project and related operations at Khatmat Malaha. With this, the first phase has begun, which is expected to be completed in four months and entails submitting a technical, financial and operational feasibility study in addition to an integrated mining operational plan.
Phase II and III encompass respectively, the design and tendering for ‘design and build’ contracts and the supervision during the execution of these contracts and commissioning of the facilities.
On the project and the partnership with Rent-A-Port, al-Hammadi said, “As a company established under the instructions of the Qatari government to ensure supplies of building materials in support of the booming construction industry in Qatar, QPMC is bound to constantly explore new mines in search of primary materials. With Rent-A-Port as an expert consultant, we hope not only to maximise output from Khatmat Malaha quarries and ensure most efficient operations at controlled costs, but also achieve a solid leap in the bilateral relations between Qatar and Belgium. We are hopeful that it will be another milestone in enhancing the already robust trade relations that exist between both the countries and Her Highness’s attendance of the signing event echoes this same objective.”
Stordiau said, “We at Rent-A-Port take great pride in associating ourselves with Qatar Primary Materials Company by providing services to QPMC in the design and feasibility study of the Khatmat Malaha quarry and jetty, and also of the new Lusail jetty, cement silo and conveyor stacker project in Qatar.
“We believe that between our professional services and long expertise and QPMC’s dedication and financial robustness, it is becoming a partner of choice for foreign companies looking to facilitate Qatar’s thriving construction sector ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and beyond.”
Stordiau further thanked Princess Astrid, whose presence, he said, “gave preeminence to the Khatmat Malah project and communicated Belgium’s recognition of Belgian private sector companies operating in Qatar, the achievements of which help raise the profile of the country.”