The Qatar Technical Inspection Company (QTIC) is about to set up a new firm solely for roadside assistance. The new venture will greatly benefit those stranded on the road in their vehicles due to a breakdown and those who are mechanically-challenged.
Ikram Hamdad, QTIC Assistant Managing Director, has been entrusted with the task of completing legal formalities, following up on procedures related to the Articles of Association and registering the company as per local laws.
On Sunday, the QTIC board gave its formal approval for the venture, to be called Raha Auto Assistance. QTIC will hold a 60 percent stake in the company. Raha is expected to start operations at the end of next month and will primarily focus on roadside repair rather than recovery.
For the first time in the country, there will be roadside patrols on the lookout for motorists in trouble. The new initiative should come as a breath of fresh air for hapless motorists who find themselves stranded due to a breakdown or engine overheating, particularly in the summer months.
Hamdad told The Peninsula from Dubai where she is attending the 'Automechanika' event: “We are negotiating with two companies in the automotive field to be partners in the venture. We will have two partners although we will not disclose their names at this stage.”
With Raha being built from the ground up, Hamdad said she would reveal more details on the venture later. However, she said, to avail of the roadside assistance service, a membership will be required. “Anyone can call us and join,” she said.
Raha is expected to be popular given the small number of breakdown services in the country. The services also have a limited number of staff and vehicles and motorists have to wait for a long time before help appears at the site of a breakdown.
QTIC has embarked on a slew of initiatives lately, the last being an announcement for advance booking for inspection of vehicles.
QTIC is a listed company engaged primarily in the technical inspection of light and heavy vehicles as well as mechanical equipment. It also sells automotive spare parts and offers environment consultancy services and carries out environmental tests.
Headquartered in the city's Industrial Area, QTIC has mobile stations located at Al Khor, Wakrah and LuLu Hypermarket.
The Pen
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