DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani has said the government is working on a series of steps to support the country’s domestic manufacturing sector.
The government has already mooted a ministerial panel to support local industries. The proposed new companies’ law, which is in its final stage of approval, is expected to be a big boost to the operations of local companies.
He was talking to reporters after formally opening the fourth edition of “Made In Qatar 2015” at Doha Exhibition Centre yesterday. “Made in Qatar” is an annual exhibition dedicated to showcasing the Qatari products and businesses.
The premier noted that “Made in Qatar” will help transform the local market from an ‘overly consuming market to a producing market’. The government has already announced a series of measures to support the country’s private sector. Directives have been issued to the government sector not to compete with the private sector.
“The government’s idea is to create a partnership, not competitiveness between the private and public sectors,” he added.
On the new companies’ law, the Prime Minister said that it will help bring in transparency in the entire operations of local companies and public sector companies. The new law will make sure the investors’ money is safe.
Replying to a query on complaints of certain banks’ reluctance to finance startups, the premier said the government is extending all sorts of support to the SMEs and startups. There are some companies which are getting subsidised gas. Unfortunately, the production value of these companies are lower than the value of the subsidies that they enjoy.
The latest edition of “Made in Qatar” has its focus on Qatari businesses involved in the manufacturing, food processing and chemical and petrochemical sectors, primary construction materials as well as on small and medium-sized industries in general. Besides showcasing Qatari products and businesses, the event also aimed to support development of the industrial sector, to encourage partnerships among the business community in Qatar and to contribute to attracting investments in the manufacturing sector.
A ‘Bazar” has been opened for the first time on the sidelines of the exhibition, an opportunity for the visitors to have a flavour of the local products.
Over 200 companies are showcasing their products in the exhibition. The event is being held under the patronage of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and organised by Qatar Chamber (QC).
In the course of his presentation at exhibition, Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC) CEO Eisa Al Hammadi shed light on the company’s conveyor belt project which is expected to be completed in October 2015. Once this work is over, the company’s total capacity will go up to 35 million tonnes per annum from the existing 22 million tonnes.The Peninsula
