Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC) has signed key agreements with private firms for procurement of primary construction materials to the Qatari market, mainly gabbro (a coarse-grained and usually dark-colored igneous rock which is often used as paving and facing stones on buildings) and limestone, said a report.

The deals will increase stock of primary materials under the supervision of QPMC to 58 million tonnes (MT), reported The Peninsula.

QPMC inked an agreement with Doha Quarry under which it will provide three million tonnes of gabbro for a one-year period while the pact with another Qatari company MFH will help procurement of 7.5 million tonnes of limestone for five years.

Oryx Trading has agreed to supply two million tonnes of gabbro for a year while Village Trading will be supplying in turn six million tonnes of gabbro over five years to QPMC, the report stated.

QPMC’s new vision includes developing close partnerships with private sector.

“It was necessary to revisit our vision after 10 years in operation, and a paradigm shift from a cargo handling company, to a major construction materials’ trader and distributor and ambitiously, a price regulator at the local level,” said Al Hammadi.

"These agreements are capable of increasing the local stockpile of primary materials under the supervision of QPMC to 58 million tonnes, which takes care of the national demand first and foremost and ensures both price competitiveness and constancy for the benefit of private sector companies," stated Eisa Al Hammadi, the chief executive officer.

The company has also signed supply agreements with 24 local contractors to source them 1.11 million tonnes of materials, which would increase profitability and investment in the upgrade of company assets and facilities to the highest levels, said Al Hammadi.

The procured materials will be stored in QPMC-owned facilities in Lusail, Mesaieed and Ras Laffan. It will ensure accessibility of materials and timely delivery to all construction sites around the country.

"The move will help stabilise the prices of primary infrastructure materials across Qatar and establish quality standards for aggregates and limestone in the long-term," he added.