The Embassy of Pakistan with support from Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry has set up a stall in the second edition of “Made in Qatar” exhibition at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Different companies from Pakistan displayed their products at the exhibition, pulling a good number of people and potential buyers. The products from Pakistan mainly included garments, food items, sport goods, and military gear.
His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurated the fifth edition of ‘Made in Qatar’ Exhibition on December 14. Embassies of different countries and known Qatari companies have set up their stalls at the four-day long exhibition that ends today.
A visit to the stall on Saturday showed that a good number of visitors took keen interest in the stall, especially the food items and sporting goods. Representatives of the Pakistani companies and officials of the embassy were all praise for the Government of Qatar for providing them with the opportunity.
Talking to Community, Salman Ali, Commercial Secretary with the Pakistani embassy, said, “This is the first time that the Qatar chamber has invited embassies to have their stalls set up at the exhibition. The chamber provided the space and the stalls free of charge. After getting invitation from the Qatar chamber, we contacted different Pakistani companies informing them about the opportunity.”
The commercial secretary added, “[The companies from] Pakistan have displayed their sample products and have designated their representatives with full powers to sign business contracts. The products on display are an actual strength of Pakistan. Products such as textile and garments, military uniform gear, sports goods, hospital wears, and food items have good quality of production in Pakistan.”
Laying stress on the variety of food items from Pakistan, Ali said, “Our stall has been attracting visitors as we have set up a food corner also. We have brought Kashmiri tea for the first in Qatar from Pakistan. The local people and expatriates in Qatar have really liked and appreciated the tea. The visitors have also liked sweets from Pakistan and said that they have got nothing like this in Qatar.”
Appreciating the policy of the Government of Qatar, he said, “The government has been providing every kind of facility and opportunity to improve business and investment in Qatar. Business persons from Pakistan need to take advantage of the policies here. This is the time that we also need to stand by Qatar. Pakistan is very close to Qatar geographically and there are vast opportunities to enhance bilateral trade. We have a strong contingent of Pakistani community in Qatar and we need to build long-term business relations with Qatar.”
Rana Muhammad Sulaiman is a Pakistani businessman and senior vice chairman of Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association. He displayed sports goods at the embassy’s stall.
Talking to Community he said, “I was born and raised in Qatar. I moved back to Pakistan in 1994. I am a frequent visitor to Qatar. The country has changed from what it was in late 1990s. Qatar has moved forward a lot. Now there are a lot many more business opportunities here. There is a lot of space for sports goods here. Pakistan is a large manufacturer and exporter of sport goods.”
Sulaiman noted, “All is set for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The event brings a lot of opportunity for sporting goods here. There are already many Pakistani products available in Qatar but with different brand names. We will try to introduce products such as footballs with Pakistani brand names. The market in Qatar is very receptive and some extra effort from Pakistani business people can bring about positive results.”
Kazim Burni is director marketing for Siddiqsons Group, a business group mainly dealing in textile and denim fabrics. He said, “We gave received good response. We feel we have good opportunities in Qatar. We have been encouraged both by the Qatari government and the Pakistani embassy to come here.
“This is my third visit to Qatar. I have noticed tremendous potential here. There are opportunities not only in trade and business sector butt also in tourism. The Qatari government has also made it easy to get visa for Pakistanis.”
Ahmed Hussain, former president of Pakistan Qatar Business Forum and a businessman here, said, “We really appreciate the embassy for taking the initiative. We have met some sizeable Pakistani suppliers. Qatar can be a good market for them. This is a good time to push our products here, like food, medicines, and construction material.”
INTEREST: People have shown keen interest in the stall and the goods on display.
