Author: Niyas Aboobacker

On Monday 25^th March, Media City Qatar was pleased to host a gathering of top professional content producers from around the world to explore production opportunities in Doha. The event took place at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl - and was attended by over 50 industry representatives.

Participants were presented with ways in which Media City Qatar can assist them in setting up and producing content in Qatar, including co-production, industry-leading incentives, and access to world class production facilities. Qatar’s striking architecture and scenery and unique culture have increasingly been featured in international media, especially since the FIFA World Cup 2022. The primary objective of this gathering, however, was to meet the growing demand for content commissioning in the MENA region and to demonstrate to production houses the supportive regulatory and modern business environment and financial benefits they can enjoy with Media City Qatar.

Both participants and hosts had wide-ranging and illuminating discussions, culminating in a Q&A and a joyous Suhoor. Throughout the evening, senior members of Media City Qatar team, were on hand to explain how Media City Qatar can help grow their business and ensure that all guests had a true experience of Qatari hospitality.

“I’m delighted that so many talented content producers from around the world were able to join us in Doha,” said Thair Al Anani; Director of Business Development at Media City Qatar “.  This event is not only aligned with the national agenda aiming to drive growth in strategic areas, but it was also an opportunity to welcome new friends to Qatar and to invite them to join us on our journey to the media world of the future.”

Media City Qatar (MCQ), established to attract and regulate investment opportunities to support the media ecosystem in Qatar, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA), the legal and tax arm of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore financial and business center in the region. The MoU aims to facilitate the establishment of media companies in Qatar.

Under the agreement, the QFC will register media companies pre-approved by MCQ, which will be licensed by both the QFC and MCQ. Registration and Licensing details will be recorded on the QFC platform. This partnership enables licensed companies to conduct business in Qatar according to MCQ’s permitted activities. The QFC will facilitate all necessary governmental procedures and tax-related processes in accordance with the legal framework and regulations of Qatar. Meanwhile, MCQ will diligently oversee the companies’ compliance with the applicable regulations for media entities in Qatar.

Furthermore, the two parties will collaborate to promote each other’s programs and activities and evaluate opportunities for mutually beneficial projects toward developing the media sector in Qatar.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the MoU, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Chairman, MCQ, said, “This strategic partnership will empower Media City to attract and license media companies, further enriching Qatar’s vibrant media ecosystem. We extend our gratitude to the QFC Chairman and Minister of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Abdullah Al-Thani, for facilitating the signing of this pivotal memorandum of understanding, which sets the stage for driving growth in the media industry and contributing to Qatar’s economic diversification. We look forward to achieving Media City Qatar's vision as an attractive destination for  local, regional, and international media businesses and initiatives across various scales.”

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, underscored the importance of the MoU, stating, "We are thrilled about this partnership with Media City, which marks a significant step in fostering media growth in Qatar. Through this collaboration, we aim to streamline processes and provide a conducive environment for media companies to thrive in the country. Together with MCQ, we are poised to unlock exciting opportunities and drive innovation in the sector.”

This partnership between the QFC and MCQ signifies a shared commitment to regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and fostering growth in the media sector.

https://www.qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2024-01/30/0046-media-city-qatar,-qfc-sign-mou-to-boost-qatar%27s-media-ecosystem

December 7, 2023 – Singapore: ONE Championship™ (ONE), the world’s largest martial arts organization, official presenting partner Qatar Tourism, official media partner Media City Qatar, and official partner Ooredoo today announced that ONE Championship will make its on-ground debut in Qatar on March 1 at the Lusail Sports Arena with ONE 166: Qatar.

The event will feature 5 ONE World Championship fights across MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Submission Grappling. Additional event details and headline bouts will also be announced in the coming weeks.

Fans interested in purchasing early bird tickets can do so now via the Virgin Megastore or Q-Tickets.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “I’m thrilled to announce ONE Championship’s return to the Middle East with one of our biggest events ever. We’re building a spectacular card that is stacked from top to bottom, which will feature World Championship fights across all of our martial arts disciplines. We can’t wait to put on a show for the greatest fans on earth and would like to thank Qatar Tourism, Media City Qatar and Ooredoo for teaming with us to make history.”

Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar Tourism is delighted to be the Official Event Host, Presenting Partner, and VIP Lounge Sponsor of what will be the biggest ONE Championship event the region has ever seen. This exciting addition to Qatar's world-class roster of events reinforces our commitment to bringing exceptional experiences that resonate with local and global audiences. As we strategically position ourselves as a hub for diverse and dynamic experiences, the partnership with ONE Championship showcases our dedication to hosting world-class sports and entertainment year-round for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Sheikh Ali bin Abulla Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer at Media City Qatar, stated: “MCQ is privileged to stand alongside our esteemed partners at ONE Championship and Qatar Tourism in hosting ONE 166: Qatar in Doha. As an official media partner, we recognize the historic significance of this event, and we are committed to sharing compelling stories of the world’s most recognized athletes with a global audience, further solidifying Qatar’s position as a regional home for diverse and dynamic experiences in sports and entertainment while contributing to the evolution of the media landscape in Qatar and beyond.”

ONE 166: Qatar will be broadcast in the Middle East region on beIN Sports on March 1 starting at 3:30pm AST. Additional tune-in details for the global broadcast, which can be viewed in over 190 countries worldwide, will be made available at a later date.

About ONE Championship™
ONE is the world’s largest martial arts organization, ranking among the world's top five sports properties for viewership and engagement with a cumulative reach of over 400 million fans, according to Nielsen. ONE produces and distributes world-class events across more than 190 countries, featuring martial artists and World Champions from over 80 nations and all styles of martial arts including MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and more. ONE can be viewed on many of the largest global free-to-air and digital broadcasters, including Prime Video, Globo, beIN SPORTS, Channel 7 HD, Seven Network, SuperSport, ELEVEN Sports, La Liga TV, Claro Sports, Star Sports, iQIYI, One Sports, Abema, Coupang, NET TV, Vidio, Mediapro, Skynet, Mediacorp, Match TV, and more.

About Qatar Tourism
Qatar Tourism’s mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar’s presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. Website: www.visitqatar.qa.

About Media City Qatar
Media City Qatar (MCQ) is an emerging, collaborative global home for media companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative talent, and a regional leader in the media industry, contributing to Qatar’s economic diversification. It accelerates the evolution of regional media to create a powerful and innovative ecosystem, where exceptional ideas and content thrive. Under its regulatory, development, and investment mandate, MCQ aims to build a nurturing environment and a hub for traditional and digital media, technology, communications, research, and development. From broadcasting to traditional and digital newspapers, from gaming to user-generated content, and from audio to advanced technologies, MCQ welcomes organizations and professionals across all media segments.