Q Life Magazine Q Magazine December 2017 | Page 68

| Issue 3 | Qatar Business Incubation Center Focus on the Future Qatar’s economy is very dynamic, experiencing rapid growth and change. It requires constant vigilance in order to identify and target the business sectors of strongest growth. In line with QNV 2030, QBIC is focused on those specifically targeted sectors that will meet the country’s business needs. Every year QBIC tweaks its strategies and tactics to help its entrepreneurs navigate the fast-paced economy more effectively. Specialist startups QBIC partnered with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) to set up a specialised incubator, QBIC Tourism, which focuses on incubating start-ups in the tourism sector. A second partnership with Ooredoo Qatar led to the specialised incubator Digital and Beyond, which works on start-ups with digital solutions. More specialised incubators, for industries with high levels of interest from prospective entrepreneurs and the general public, are being planned. 68 A fabulous future QBIC will also be launching its very own Fab Lab. Fab Labs (Fabrication Labs) are small-scale workshops that are equipped with materials and the digital prototyping and fabrication tools required to make initial product prototypes. QBIC’s Fab Lab will provide a platform for innovators, tech enthusiasts and budding entrepreneurs – with a major focus on Qatar’s youth – to develop prototypes, build their own products, and learn the skills and habits of a ‘maker’. QBIC is working towards launching Fab Lab Qatar in the first quarter of 2018.