US-based theme park operator Six Flags will open a new park at the mixed-use Qatar Entertainment City in Lusail in the Arab Emirate State of Qatar.

Six Flags has signed a deal to operate the park with Oryx Holdings, a Qatari based diversified group. The park is scheduled to open to the public by August 2012.

Under the agreement, Six Flags will provide concept development and planning services to Oryx Holdings for the creation of a 50,000sq m (500,000sq ft), Six Flags branded location within Qatar Entertainment City.

According to Assam Shaikh, managing director of Oryx Holdings, once the initial phase is finalized, Six Flags and Oryx will collaborate on the detailed design, development, construction and management of the branded location.

"Six Flags brings 47 years of theme park industry experience and a world renowned entertainment brand to create a best in class tourist destination within QEC," said Assam.

"The partnership will help further establish and push Qatar's initiatives for family tourism, attracting investments as well as keeping in-line with its growing economy. For the implementation, Qatari resources will be sought in all elements of the project as and when available."

Mark Shapiro, president and chief executive officer of Six Flags, added: "Extending the Six Flags footprint beyond Dubai represents another strategic step in our international expansion and further solidifies our reputation as a world-wide leader in family entertainment. We are thrilled to be on the ground floor of what will surely be a treasured destination."

Qatar Entertainment City is being developed by Abu Dhabi Investment House. The project is a holistic, fully integrated family entertainment destination covering a total area of 1 million sq m, of which 180,000sq m has been dedicated to leisure, retail entertainment and restaurants within a waterfront location.