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The Qatar Free Zones Authority announced through Qatar News Agency that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Emerson to establish a regional operations center dedicated to industrial automation and specialized technical services. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani, chief executive officer of the Qatar Free Zones Authority, and Judson Duncan, group president for global sales at Emerson, formalized the agreement on the sidelines of the Qatar Economic Forum UNGA Special Edition 2026 in New York. The authority’s statement indicated that the center will enhance access to engineering support for energy and industrial sectors while fostering broader collaboration with local and regional stakeholders.
According to a press release issued by Emerson on September 21, the 3500-square-meter facility in Umm Alhoul Free Zone will house the region’s first certified in-country flow calibration laboratory in addition to repair services and rapid spare-parts provisioning for field instrumentation. The release outlined plans for a customer training center and staging capabilities for distributed control systems that are intended to reduce operational disruptions and speed project delivery. Initial services covering measurement solutions, spares inventory and training are scheduled to begin in December 2026, with the calibration laboratory following in early 2027.
The Qatar Free Zones Authority statement quoted Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani as saying Emerson is one of the world’s leading global industrial companies and that he was delighted to welcome them to Qatar’s free zones. He added that the investment would allow Emerson to seize significant growth opportunities in the region. The chief executive officer’s remarks accompanied details on how the partnership would expand technical capabilities available to industries operating in Qatar and beyond.
Emerson said in its announcement that the new center reflects the company’s commitment to accelerating innovation across Qatar and supporting critical operations throughout the Middle East. Judson Duncan stated, “This new investment reflects Emerson’s strategic commitment to accelerating innovation in Qatar and supporting the Middle East’s most critical operations.” He noted that the added capabilities would help customers achieve greater agility, reliability and cost efficiency in their activities.
A PwC Middle East review of Qatar’s economy placed non-hydrocarbon growth at 3.4 percent in 2024 as authorities pursue targets of similar annual expansion in non-oil sectors through 2030 under the Third National Development Strategy. Emerson’s release positioned the service center as support for Qatar National Vision 2030 priorities centered on economic diversification and industrial advancement. The combined efforts are expected to strengthen value chains that link manufacturing, energy and technology activities within the free zones.
The authority’s statement added that the memorandum will promote ecosystem growth by linking Emerson’s network of partners, suppliers, research bodies and academic institutions with operations in Qatar. Such cooperation is designed to advance talent development programs that build local expertise in automation technologies. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the Qatar Free Zones Authority to position the country as a destination for high-technology investment and knowledge-based industries.
