Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated the fifth edition of ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, yesterday.
The Emir toured the exhibition where he was briefed about various national industries participating in the expo. The Emir listened to explanations about the most important projects and industries and their contribution to the Qatari economy. The Emir also visited the pavilions of the sponsoring and participating companies in the exhibition and the pavilions and sections of the productive families and traditional crafts. The Emir was accompanied by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and a number of Ministers, senior diplomats and dignitaries, members of Qatar Chamber’s Board of Directors and scores of prominent businessmen.
Over 320 companies and factories are exhibiting their products at the expo, including 127 companies representing various industries, 29 companies in the furniture industry, 29 companies in the petrochemical industry, 64 companies in the small and medium industries sector, 55 companies in the food industry sector, and 138 productive family shops in different fields. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber, said that ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition is a leading industrial forum that brings together all Qatari companies and factories under one umbrella and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to meet with employers and investors to know about Qatari industries and their strengths, as well as what the Qatari market needs from new industries. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber, also hailed the Emir patronising of the exhibition in all its editions which is a strong impetus for all businessmen to exert more effort to develop the industry and the Qatari product.
He said that the current edition of the exhibition witnessed wide participation by Qatari industrial companies, as they occupied an area of about 20,000 sqm of the exhibition hall since the first week of registration and participation, adding, therefore the Chamber increased the exhibition space by 50 percent to reach about 30,000sqm, which is the entire exhibition’s space at the Doha Convention and Exhibition Center, in order to accommodate all companies wishing to participate in the exhibition. He expressed hope that the exhibition will contribute to highlighting the national products especially in view of the unjust siege imposed on the country which encouraged the business community to focus on and support the national product and open the way for new investments in all sectors and industries.
Sheikh Khalifa praised the great support to the national product from all concerned authorities in the State led by the wise leadership and government, noting the new laws and legislations that are in the interest of supporting the national product and enhancing the industrial investment climate in the country. He noted the directives of the wise leadership, which were interpreted in the Qatar National Vision 2030, promoted the efforts made on this matter. Sheikh Khalifa added that it aimed to reduce the dependence on oil and gas as the only sources of income. The vision also focuses on developing industries of different types, which contributes to opening the way for Qatari manufacturers to increase their businesses and open up new industrial projects, especially in light of the incentives the state is offering and the initiatives different entities are adopting.
He stressed that Qatar still has great opportunities to establish many factories of value to the economy, despite the great development the Qatari industry has achieved. He noted that the boosting local production to achieving self-sufficiency has become one of the most important pillars of the national economy and a strong support in continuing efforts to achieve comprehensive development goals covering all areas.
He said the different sectors of the exhibition were able to highlight the identity of the local products through the vast partnership of different production entities, which are consistent with economic policy based on openness and diversity of sources of income. The Qatar Chamber chairman said the production projects are an essential contributor to the growing proportion of domestic market needs and a launch base of promising export opportunities to increase the volume of Qatari foreign trade, regionally and internationally. He added that this comes in line with the increase in non-oil exports revealed in the monthly report issued by the chamber.
Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Director General of Qatar Chamber said the wide presence of Qatari companies in the largest industrial exhibition in the country is a clear reflection of the efforts exerted to develop local industry and achieve industrial development in various fields. He added that it also reflects the ability of Qatar’s private sector and manufacturers to develop year after year, making “Made in Qatar” exhibition a record of the industrial development. Al Sharqi noted that the exhibition provides an opportunity to meet Qatari producers and specialists to exchange expertise, views and discuss cooperation aspects, it also gives the opportunity to establish partnerships that benefit factories and exhibiting companies with visitors or suppliers, traders and business owners.
The Made in Qatar 2017 expo is a forum that brings together all Qatari companies and factories under one umbrella, and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to meet with business owners and investors to learn about Qatari industries and their advantages as well as to explore the new industries that the Qatari market needs.
A number of regional and international commercial representation centers are participating in the exhibition. Qatar Chamber has invited embassies of friendly and fraternal countries in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in the exhibition in order to introduce the different Qatari industries to open up new markets and trade outlets and promote mutual trade growth with world countries. The exhibition also provides free display spaces for trade representatives in a number of foreign embassies in Doha to enable the Qatari manufacturers and businessmen to learn about these markets and provide them with an opportunity to exchange experiences, information and techniques that can benefit the business sector in the country.
source: The Peninsula
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