Nexans, a leader in the cable industry, said commercial production has started at its Qatar joint venture plant in Mesaieed Industrial City, around 40 km from capital Doha.

The Qatar International Cable Company (QICC) plant, which employs more than 100 people, is expected to generate a volume of business of over $100 million by 2011.

The new plant is focused on the manufacture of low, medium and low end high voltage power cables for energy infrastructure and building projects, as well as special cables for the oil and gas industry, said a company statement.

It has a current total floor space of 19,000 sq m on an overall plot of 70,000 sq m, and a strategic location close to a harbour that is being developed as the largest in the Middle-East.

"The opening of this flagship plant in Qatar is a key strategic step that enables Nexans to address the specific needs of the buoyant and growing market in the Gulf Coast Countries," said Frédéric Vincent, chairman and CEO of Nexans.

"It adds high-quality, high-volume local manufacturing capability to the effective engineering, sales and customer support services already established in this area," he added.

QICC was established in June 2008 as a joint venture company between Nexans (30 percent), Special Projects Company and Al Neama Industrial Company.

QICC, which is under the operational management of Nexans, is targeting not only the local market, but also the companies in the Gulf and Yemen.-TradeArabia News Service