Doha:Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has introduced the Advanced Manufacturing Hub (Manarat), marking the first industrial complex of its kind in the nation. This initiative aims to boost the integration of advanced technology solutions and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies among next-generation factories in Qatar. According to Qatar News Agency, the launch was made in collaboration with the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It opens applications for occupying 16 ready-built factory units in Qatar's New Industrial Area. Dr. Hamad Salem Mejegheer, QDB's Executive Director of SME Development, stated that Manarat is a crucial advancement in QDB's mission to develop a sustainable and competitive industrial sector. This aligns with the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy 2024-2030, which focuses on enhancing the manufacturing sector's contribution to non-hydrocarbon GDP, localizing production, and creating special ized jobs in advanced technology. Dr. Abdulaziz Khalid Al Ali, Director of the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the importance of Manarat in driving innovation and competitiveness within Qatar's industrial sector. The initiative aligns with global efforts to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies, supported by the World Economic Forum. Abdulla Ghanim Al Maadeed, Director of the Industrial Development Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, praised the initiative as a major step forward for Qatar's industrial sector. He highlighted the role of Qatar Development Bank and the collaboration among stakeholders in advancing the sector. He further noted the Ministry's commitment to accelerating digital transformation in the industrial realm by enhancing digital readiness and fostering the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced digital solutions. Manarat is expected to support these objectives, contributing to the Qatar National Manufac turing Strategy 2024-2030. As of the second quarter of 2026, cumulative investment in the industrial sector had reached QR 248.44 billion. Manarat targets sectors such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, electronics and telecommunications, robotics, and chemicals, focusing on technology-driven manufacturing fields. It represents an extension of QDB's efforts to support the industrial sector, accelerate economic diversification, and develop a knowledge-based economy.