Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani
Doha: Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani stressed the Ministry’s collaboration with all concerned agencies in the country to produce a historic and exceptional World Cup edition.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency said that the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab world will kick off tomorrow, highlighting the concerted national efforts for the world’s mega event to produce a historic and exceptional FIFA World Cup edition. His Excellency said this success reflects the State of Qatar’s civilizational, economic and cultural development and prosperity under the wise leadership of H H the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. His Excellency said that this unique World Cup edition will be a bright sign and a solid historical legacy for all citizens and residents in the State of Qatar, and that it will inspire the World Cup fans and future generations.
Highlighting the Ministry’s efforts to contribute to the success of this global event, His Excellency pointed to the Ministry’s cooperation and coordination with various government agencies and private sectors, to accelerate the launch of integrated initiatives and programs in line with the provisions of Law No. 10 of 2021 regarding measures to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
In collaboration with all relevant agencies, His Excellency said, the Ministry defined the mechanisms for the World Cup events and ways to facilitate procedures for entry visas, recruitment permits, work permits, and company registration. His Excellency added the procedures also included tax and customs exemptions for some categories according to the limits determined by HE Minister of Finance and the government regulations. These parties included the FIFA and its affiliated organizations, continental federations, national football associations, companies, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) and FIFA entities, suppliers of goods and contractors of its works, contractors of service providers, FIFA business partners, broadcasters, their employees and foreign nationals participating in activities.
In conjunction with these measures, the Ministry cooperated with the concerned authorities in the country to draft Law No. 11 of 2021 on the protection of trademarks, copyrights and related rights of the FIFA, according to which the Industrial Property Protection Office, or the Office for the Protection of Copyright and Neighboring Rights at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, registers FIFA trademarks, audio recordings, performing artists, and FIFA radio programs. In this regard, the Ministry registered more than 500 FIFA-related trademarks until June 2022, according to Law No. (9) of 2002 on trademarks, trade names, geographical indications, and industrial designs and templates. The Ministry also registered nearly 180 other FIFA-related trademarks, under Law No. (11) of 2021. Hence, FIFA granted the rights to use its trademark to about 27 companies and commercial partners.
His Excellency highlighted the Ministry’s workshops aimed at supporting intellectual property rights and providing the necessary protection for major international brands, and discussing ways to guarantee fair competition and prevent illegal abuses such as unauthorized promotional activities, and combating the sale of counterfeit goods and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022-linked products without the consensus of the concerned authorities, and the unauthorized use of trademarks and designs affiliated with FIFA and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The workshops also discussed the tasks of judicial officers in the vicinity of stadiums during World Cup matches, ways to protect the trademarks and intellectual property rights of FIFA and the tournament sponsors, the World Cup designs and the rights of companies authorized to sell World Cup-related products, as well as mechanisms for identifying officially licensed products, and reviewing the in-stadium brand protection program during the tournament.
As part of its efforts to ensure readiness for effective dealing with investors and auditors during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, His Excellency affirmed the Ministry’s keenness, through the Single Window Services (SWS) and all supporting administrative units, to secure the necessary coordination with the concerned authorities in the country to complete the auditors’ transactions. The SWS was mainly established to provide all commercial services and upgrade the trade and investment services sector to be in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, whose objectives include digital development and facilitation of digital government.
His Excellency highlighted the role of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Services Center to facilitate procedures for commercial licensing and the establishment of companies concerned with working on World Cup projects, providing general trademark registration services and its contribution to accelerating transactions involving the various sectors of the Ministry.
This center provided about 23 services in the industrial sector to back industrial projects and provide important investment incentives and benefits to support the industrial sector through various transactions. In the commercial sector, It provided a single place to facilitate obtaining the necessary licenses and registrations, support and assist investors in the planning and registration procedures and licenses for their commercial projects, in addition to diverse and fast services that meet all the needs of investors and customers. In the consumer sector, it launched about 28 exclusive and distinctive services, and issued the necessary licenses for sales and offers.
Commenting on the Ministry’s readiness to meet the various needs of the local market during the tournament, HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry stressed the Ministry’s preparedness to deal with the expected increase in demand for consumption in the local market at very high rates, amid expectations to receive large numbers of fans and visitors. The ministry took the necessary measures to set up, renew and gradually increase inventory of food, supply and consumer commodities within the framework of the Ministry-run strategic inventory management and control system.
His Excellency highlighted the coordination with various concerned authorities and parties, particularly Al Meera Consumer Goods Company as a strategic partner, to contribute to the success of this important event. Under this coordination, the retail giant will secure sufficient stocks of products in high demand during the tournament, such as oils, rice, breakfast meals and foods, canned food, eggs, drinking water, detergents and paper products, etc.
Commenting on the Ministry’s procedures and detailed plans to face all scenarios and emergencies that ensure regular supply and procurement to meet the local market needs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani alluded to the relaunch of the Emergency Committee under Ministerial Resolution No. 52 of 2022 in a bid to ensure the import and flow of food and supplies.
