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QATAR - Energy & Mining

Walid Samara

VICE PRESIDENT – NORTHERN REGION (QATAR, IRAQ, KUWAIT, AND JORDAN), EMERSON AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS

Bio

Walid Samara brings over 15 years of experience at various levels in industrial automation in the region. He previously served as director, global strategic accounts MEA at Emerson. Prior to that, he was the business development manager for flow systems in the northern region. Samara holds an MBA in general and strategic management from Maastricht School of Management in Netherlands and a bachelor’s degree of mechanical engineering from Dalhousie University in Canada.

Qatar National Vision 2030 perfectly coincides with Emerson’s emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and digitalization, making it the perfect partner.

What presence does Emerson have in Qatar, and what key local industries does the company serves?

Emerson’s substantial presence in Qatar spans over four decades, marked by strategic partnerships with Qatar Energy and its various subsidiaries. Over the years, we have been involved in supporting the energy infrastructure investments led by Qatar Gas and Qatar Energy that have positioned Qatar as one of the most significant energy hubs, particularly around LNG, across the globe. From the inception of megaprojects to the establishment of both LNG and crude oil infrastructure, Emerson has played a critical role as an automation technology leader across the industry. Our commitment extends beyond the energy sector, with a strong focus in the petrochemical and re-fining domains. Emerson has actively contributed to every facet of the energy stream in Qatar. Furthermore, our impact resonates in the power and water segments, evident through our engagement with key entities such as Qatar Energy, Kahramaa, and the Ministry of Power and Water. Emerson’s role in the country has been comprehensive, spanning diverse sectors and actively participating in Qatar’s journey towards sustainability and operational excellence.

What challenges have you encountered in your investment journey in Qatar, and how have you overcome these obstacles?

Our investment journey in Qatar has been uniquely positioned, characterized by more opportunities than challenges. The country’s youthfulness, with its abundant natural gas resources, establishes a positive and distinctive position within the region. Since directing our focus toward the Qatari market, we have encountered an environment that not only facilitates business but also presents numerous opportunities. One significant factor contributing to our positive experience is Qatar’s rapid establishment of infrastructure and the proactive enhancement of governmental regulations to align with this development. This pro-active approach has created an environment conducive to investment, distinguishing Qatar from other nations. Despite external disruptions such as the global pandemic, our commitment to sup-porting our customers in Qatar remained unwavering. Thanks to our strategic decisions and global capabilities, our customers did not experience any of the challenges imposed by the blockade. In essence, our investment journey in Qatar has been marked by a harmonious synergy between opportunity recognition and strategic resilience.

Emerson has signed an MoU with the Investment Pro-motion Agency (IPA) Qatar. What is the goal behind this partnership?

Following the World Cup, Qatar embarked on the next wave of its energy investments, particularly in the expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the North Field Expansion (NFE). This expansion presents significant opportunities for companies specializing in process automation, such as ours, as industries increasingly prioritize sustainable operations while emphasizing productivity and reliability. As Qatar Energy invested in these megaprojects, including LNG, Northfield East, Northfield South, and the Ras Laffan Petrochemical project, we actively participated in the bidding process, securing crucial packages. Recognizing the potential impact of the Tawteen or in-country value (ICV) certification on customer relationships, we proactively sought and obtained certification, contributing to our success in winning major projects. In the wake of these accomplishments, we made the strategic decision to enhance our presence in Qatar. The collaboration with IPA emerged from discussions about poten-tial avenues for collaboration, with one notable idea being the establishment of a Global LNG Center of Excellence based in Qatar. This center is envisioned to not only support LNG projects within Qatar but also extend its expertise global-ly. The IPA has demonstrated substantial support for this initiative, culminating in the signing of the MoU. Both parties are committed to ensuring the success of the center, leveraging its global capabilities to benefit projects worldwide. Plans for future expansion include the establishment of a calibration center for flow measurement solutions in Qatar, building upon our existing facility for staging control systems supplied to Qatar Energy. This expansion underscores our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the Qatari market and beyond.

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