Qatar Chamber’s Industry Committee and the Economic Zones Company (Manateq) held a meeting yesterday to discuss ways to strengthen ties that support the country’s industrial sector and improve the business environment for investors.
Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani and Manateq CEO Khalid bin Ahmad al-Obaidli convened the meeting in the presence of board officials and committee members, alongside Manateq’s executive management team.
The meeting also addressed various challenges and issues related to the industrial sector, particularly those directly related to Manateq, as well as ways to enhance communication between the chamber and Manateq to help address obstacles facing industrial investors.
Sheikh Khalifa affirmed Qatar Chamber’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Manateq and gaining further insight into plans for industrial and logistics zones and their role in supporting the growth of Qatar’s industrial sector. He noted that their next meeting will be held at Manateq’s headquarters to continue discussions on a number of topics related to the industrial sector and investors’ needs.
Al-Obaidli said the meeting aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing industrial investors and explore ways to address them. He highlighted Manateq’s commitment to working closely with its partners and relevant stakeholders to contribute to creating a business environment that supports the growth and sustainability of investors’ businesses, while serving as a genuine partner to the private sector.
He said Manateq continues to facilitate the investor journey and enhance the overall investor experience through its Business Services Centre and digital channels, enabling investors to access services and track their transactions conveniently through the Partners Portal or the Manateq mobile app.
Participants of the meeting also raised several important topics related to the industrial sector, including the need for clearer classification between factories and workshops, the provision of liquefied natural gas to small and medium-sized industries (SMEs), the provision of affordable worker accommodation and transportation within industrial zones, a proposal to establish a higher industrial council, and the development of road infrastructure serving industrial zones.
Both parties emphasised the importance of maintaining continuous coordination and communication with investors and relevant stakeholders. They also agreed to follow up on the discussed topics in a way that supports the ongoing development of the business environment and enhances the competitiveness of Qatar's industrial sector.