One Team Korea Lays Foundation for Solar Power Project Cooperation and Orders in Qatar

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Signs MOU on Spatial Information and Advanced Construction Technology
Samsung C&T Expected to Secure $300 Million Solar Power Project

One Team Korea laid the groundwork for large-scale orders in Qatar. In particular, Samsung C&T signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Qatar Economic Free Zone Authority regarding a solar power project, raising expectations for future orders worth $300 million.

On the 25th (local time), Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, signed the 'National Spatial Information Cooperation MOU' with Abdullah Abdulaziz Al Subaie, Minister of the Qatar Autonomous Administration, at the Amiri Diwan, the royal palace of Qatar, in the presence of the heads of state of both countries, and took a commemorative photo. / Photo by the Presidential Office

On the 26th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that on the 25th (local time), coinciding with President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to Qatar, two MOUs were signed at the Amiri Diwan, the Qatari royal palace.

Among the MOUs signed in the presence of the heads of state of both countries, the first was on "National Spatial Information Cooperation" between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Qatar Autonomous Administration. This MOU was actively proposed by Abdullah Abdulaziz Al Subaie, Minister of the Qatar Autonomous Administration, during One Team Korea’s visit to three Middle Eastern countries in January, and its signing was subsequently promoted.

Through this MOU, both countries plan to explore cooperation measures such as exchanging information related to spatial information infrastructure, conducting joint academic research, exchanging and training experts, promoting human resource exchanges, and hosting exhibitions.

The Ministry also signed an "Advanced Technology Cooperation MOU in Construction and Architecture" with the Qatar Public Works Authority. This matter was discussed during a meeting with Saad Ahmad Al Muhannadi, head of the Qatar Public Works Authority, who attended the "Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2023" held in Seoul last September.

The two ministries plan to expand economic cooperation between the two countries by sharing experiences and knowledge in smart construction, infrastructure, and building development.

The "MOU for Clean Energy Technology Cooperation and Joint Development including Solar Power Projects" signed between Samsung C&T and the Qatar Economic Free Zone Authority is also noteworthy. Samsung C&T has reportedly maintained a close cooperative relationship with Qatar since One Team Korea’s visit in January. Based on this MOU, the possibility of securing solar power project orders worth $300 million in the future has increased.

Meanwhile, before moving to Qatar, Minister Won Hee-ryong discussed smart city and housing cooperation measures during a breakfast meeting with Majid Al Hogail, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing of Saudi Arabia. The meeting was arranged following an impromptu proposal by Minister Al Hogail, who attended the "50th Anniversary Ceremony of Korea-Saudi Construction Cooperation." Minister Al Hogail shared urban development plans and encouraged participation and investment by related Korean companies in modular housing, smart homes, data centers, and other areas.

In response, Minister Won explained, "Korean companies are competitive not only in construction but also in software aspects such as technology and solutions," and pledged, "We will actively support building networks with related companies."

Through this state visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, One Team Korea signed numerous contracts and MOUs, laying the foundation for large-scale economic cooperation in future infrastructure fields. Among these, the $100 million contract signed by Naver with the Saudi Housing Authority to build and operate a digital twin platform stands out. It is the first export of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s Digital Platform Government.

Minister Won said, "Taking advantage of the state visits to two Middle Eastern countries, we have further solidified cooperation in infrastructure and plant sectors that have continued for 50 years, and through government-level MOUs, cooperation areas have expanded to future infrastructure. As the importance of spatial information and advanced construction technologies grows in the digital economy era, we will build networks with Saudi Arabia and Qatar to support One Team Korea companies’ participation in mega projects in these fields."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.