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Turkish construction companies have participated in infrastructure-related projects in Qatar worth $18bn since 2015, Turkey’s top diplomat here told Gulf Times on the sidelines of Build Your House (BYH) 2022 Exhibition. Turkish ambassador to Qatar Dr Mustafa Goksu said many companies from Turkey have been part of major infrastructure projects of both the government and private sector, including projects related to the country’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Turkish companies are also known for their products and services in building materials, furniture, construction, and the hospitality sector. He noted that more than 10 Turkish companies are part of BYH 2022, which is running until March 30 at Halls 8 and 9 of the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). “Aside from the construction of major thoroughfares and other multi-billion projects in the State of Qatar, Turkish companies have participated in the building of many hotels and restaurants, as well as facilities in the hospitality industry here,” the ambassador explained. He also said, “As the country nears the World Cup, many Turkish companies are still arriving in Qatar to complete the remaining work in different projects related to this major event.” On Qatar-Turkey bilateral trade, Goksu said the value of both countries' trade volume stood at over $1bn despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said, “As the global economy eases out of the pandemic, we are expecting to witness growth in Qatar and Turkey’s bilateral trade in the coming period.” BYH 2022 is being held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani. Monday’s opening was officially inaugurated by HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Thani. The minister was joined by Rawad Sleem, co-founder and general manager, NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, and Abdul Aziz bin Hattab al-Kaabi, the vice chairman of Al Hattab Holding board of directors.

Portugal is participating for the first time at the Build Your House (BYH) 2022 Exhibition, showcasing best-in-class luxury branded products during the event, which will run until March 30 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) Stand I 26. In a statement, the Portuguese Association of Wood and Furniture Industries (AIMMP), under the auspices of which Portuguese companies will showcase their products, said the participation aims to pave way for enhanced exports of wood and furniture products to Qatar. “Portugal already is on a strong wicket of growth in exports to Qatar, which grew 68% during 2020-2021 compared to 59% in the corresponding previous period. We believe that there is tremendous untapped potential for further expansion in the wood and luxury furniture products in Doha in line with the country’s surging economic growth,” said AIMMP president Vitor Poças. Portugal’s debut in BYH is also consistent with the policy of AIMMP and the Portuguese wood and furniture sector to showcase the country’s eclectic array of branded European products in the Middle East region being part of the ‘Inter Wood & Furniture’ strategy, an internalisation programme of the sector managed by AIMMP. Twenty-one top-notch brands from Portugal are taking part at BYH, looking to market their products, as well as find distribution partners in Qatar to enhance market footprints. Poças said, “We are excited about our debut participation in Doha and we look forward to building the presence of Portuguese furniture and wood products here where there is high demand for European-made furniture. There is a strong affinity for Portuguese wood and furniture products in Qatar already and we believe it is time that we endeavour further to expand our presence.” AIMMP said Portugal has been very active in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) markets and in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), highlighting the country’s ubiquitous product range in the wood, furniture, and construction sector. “We believe that the post-pandemic market resurgence in Qatar and the region bodes well for European manufacturers in the interior and home furnishing industry since traditionally there is a high preference for luxury brands from Europe in these markets,” Poças added.

Qatar’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP is 1.9%, according to HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohamed bin Ali al-Mannai. Speaking to the media yesterday on the sidelines of the ‘Qatar IT Roundtable’, organised by the Communications and Regulatory Authority (CRA), al-Mannai underscored the importance of ICT role in other sectors of the country, as well as in Qatar’s economic diversification. Al-Mannai noted that the ministry is working on developing an integrated plan with new goals to develop the field of ICT, which would be ready in the first quarter of 2023. Speaking on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the minister said Qatar’s ICT infrastructure “is almost ready” and that “work is currently underway on some recent services with the organisers.” The CRA earlier stated that the roundtable was organised in line with its keenness to engage directly with stakeholders and key players in the IT sector to exchange views and experiences about the local industry development. The event was held in the context of the IT sector as a crucial enabler of economic growth and diversification, social prosperity, and environmental sustainability, considering the global rapid technological development and Qatar’s ambition to become a digital hub for the region, the CRA added. In his speech at the event, al-Mannai said, “We are also undertaking various government initiatives to support the information technology sector to enable it to reach its full potential in the future, making Qatar a regional digital centre. These initiatives include providing new job opportunities for the local industry, stimulating local and foreign investment, and developing the necessary digital skills by providing education and training. “We are also rapidly progressing in developing a comprehensive national roadmap for the adoption of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine technology, and blockchain technology. We are developing all relevant regulatory tools to create a solid foundation for the IT sector and an innovative digital economy.” Al-Mannai said the government has listed the IT sector as a top priority in its national agenda, stressing the importance of communicating with stakeholders and other major players in the information technology ecosystem. He said, “From this standpoint, the importance of our meeting today lies in getting acquainted with the various opinions on the current situation of the sector, and the high-level requirements necessary for the development of the information technology sector in the State of Qatar, especially in light of the rapid and continuous technological development globally. “Your valuable opinions and experiences will contribute to supporting the process of developing plans and visions for the future of the information technology sector, and developing effective organisational tools to organise it, which in turn will contribute to creating a solid foundation for the sector.”

The role of information technology in Qatar’s national agenda has become more prominent as an enabling factor for economic growth, social prosperity, and environmental sustainability, HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohamed bin Ali al-Mannai said Wednesday. In his speech at the ‘Qatar IT Roundtable’, organised by the Communications and Regulatory Authority (CRA), HE al-Mannai said the ministry is seeking to benefit from the achievements, capabilities, and resources currently available to enhance Qatar's attractiveness and competitiveness at the regional and global levels. Al-Mannai noted that Qatar has established a strong telecommunications infrastructure, in which the quality of performance and network coverage comply with relevant global standards. This, according to the minister, enabled all residents and local companies to access high-speed mobile broadband and fibre-optic services, indicating that the support is provided for the vision and strategy of the telecommunications and information technology sector and its acceleration process due to the pandemic, as well as the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Al-Mannai also said the ministry continues to set goals and develop policies that promote the growth of the telecommunications sector in Qatar. At the same time, it continues to develop and update strategies and policies aimed at providing innovative services and adopting the latest global technology trends and innovations that will support digital transformation, smart living, and diversification of the local economy. Through these strategies and policies, al-Mannai said the goal is to develop digital use cases for smart Qatar and to redesign the Qatar Digital Government programme to be more customer-centric and to enable fully digital transactions. Qatar IT Roundtable was highlighted by a high-level panel discussion by the following industry experts: Marwan Marouf Rafiq Mahmoud, chairman and CEO of MOSECO Qatar and founding board member at Doha Tech Angels; Yosouf al-Salehi, executive director of Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP); Nayef al-Ibrahim, founding partner and CEO at Ibtechar; and Hamad al-Hajri, co-founder and CEO of Snoonu. The discussion was moderated by Grantly Mailes, partner & associate director, Emerging Technologies. The roundtable featured a presentation of a set of development initiatives and success stories of local companies. The CRA also provided an overview of the information technology sector and its current related initiatives, in addition to discussing the prospects for the local market with the participation of industry leaders in the State of Qatar and participants from the academic community.

Qetaifan Projects and Saudi-based real estate development company, Dar Al Arkan, recently unveiled Les Vagues residences by Elie Saab during an exclusive event held in Qetaifan Island North. The exclusive residences reflect the sophisticated elegance and exceptional detailing that Saab is known for in the haute couture world, setting new standards for modern luxury living in Qatar. Taking inspiration from the beauty and serenity of the sea, grand shores, and infinite horizons surrounding Qetaifan Island North, Les Vagues, which means waves in French, was exquisitely designed as an ode to luxury island life with clean and contemporary lines softened by carefully selected palms and tropical foliage. Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, managing director, Qetaifan Projects, said: “Following our concerted efforts to provide the local market with international standards that work on developing and revitalising sectors, such as tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and real estate, we are happy to bring a new innovative project to Qatar. “We’re looking forward to working with Dar Al Arkan and Elie Saab on this premium project that is unlike any other in the region. Qetaifan Island North is being developed as the first touristic entertainment destination in Qatar that will put the country on the regional and global tourism map, and Les Vagues residences is an integral project within the masterplan of the development.” Hesham Sharaf, chief operating officer, Qetaifan Projects, said: “Through our partnership with Dar Al Arkan, Qetaifan Island North will offer unique and luxurious residential units designed by Elie Saab. We are very pleased of the achievements Qetaifan Projects has made in the span of four years. “Undoubtedly, innovation has become an important competitive advantage that should be integrated within the real estate value chain. Qetaifan Projects aims to deliver unrivalled real estate innovative projects and to create safe and sustainable investments that will carry the name of Qatar, as well as to revitalise different sectors in the country contributing to Qatar’s economy and in line with the vision 2030.” Ziad el-Chaar, vice chairman of Dar Al Arkan Properties, said: “After our successful project launch with Elie Saab in Riyadh, we’re collaborating for a second time on a premium residential project in one of the region’s most sought-after developments. “Our project on Qetaifan Island North is unique and builds on Dar Al Arkan’s strategic aspirations of regional and global expansion through superior, high-quality real-estate projects that cater to discerning clientele from across the world.” Elie Saab said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Qetaifan Projects and Dar Al Arkan on this premium residential project that is inspired by the natural beauty of the island and its magnificent surroundings.” Les Vagues feature opulent one, two, and three-bedroom sea-front residencies with a variety of majestic balconies and terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows for residents to enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of the sea. The interiors perfectly embody the beauty of Elie Saab’s designs leaving a lasting impression of refined elegance and spectacular grace where shapes and colours blend harmoniously. Special attention has been given to the finishes with exquisite craftsmanship rarely seen delivering an exceptional level of quality, aesthetic appeal, and tactical performance in pure Elie Saab style. The amenities at Les Vagues are tailored to the residents’ needs featuring a la carte concierge services as well as, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, an infinity swimming pool, landscaped community courtyard with sea views, 24-hr reception desk, and public areas furniture designed and selected by Elie Saab, luxury retail outlets, and parking for all residential units. Qetaifan Projects and Dar Al Arkan launched the premium residential and lifestyle project on Qetaifan Island North, marking Dar Al Arkan’s first entry into Qatar with the aim of driving the development of the luxury property market and supporting the growth of Qatar’s real-estate sector. Work on the development will start in Q2 2022 and total sales are expected to reach over QR1bn Qatari Riyal. Qetaifan Island North is emerging as a thriving waterfront hub representing a new, modern lifestyle. Inspired by the rich culture and nature of the region, the distinct island will feature a thrilling waterpark, a luxurious hotel, unrivalled accommodation, exceptional retail options, and world-class facilities that make it a vibrant and attractive community.

A ‘buy local’ strategy is a key element in helping retailers reduce the environmental impact of transporting food products, a top executive of a leading hypermarket chain has said on the occasion of ‘National Product Week’, which concludes on Saturday. Dr Mohamed Althaf, director, LuLu Group International, lauded the recently-launched National Product Week, which was organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), saying that the event was the culmination of a long-term strategy of the Qatar government to localise products. “There are two aspects to this. First, for every country in the world today, food security has become an important objective. People want to produce things locally for strategic and food security reasons. “Second, we also recognise as retailers that globally the goal is towards buying local; this has become a huge trend. And people like to reduce what we call ‘food miles’, which is one of the ways to test the carbon footprint of transporting food and other things,” Althaf told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event. Althaf said LuLu has been steadily increasing its local food products portfolio in the last five years according to the “firm strategy” of MoCI. “We have identified key priority areas. It is necessary to localise some of our product lines, so we started with fresh produce, which was a major concern. I think today Qatar has got almost ‘80%’ self-sufficiency in fresh produce in its production lines. In dairy, Qatar is close to ‘100%’ self-sufficient,” Althaf explained. He also said, “Going forward, we want to source and secure fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). So, in the last five years, there have been many initiatives; the Qatar government started giving initiatives to people and businesses to localise food production. “We are very happy to partner with local firms because our business is about servicing customers and selling products. Our business is not logistics. We don’t want to transport food from far away countries.” Althaf stressed that MoCI has implemented many matchmaking initiatives between retailers in Qatar and companies that are capable of producing locally, “according to our international standards.” “As part of this matchmaking strategy, we have identified close to 50 products today, which are under the LuLu private label. These private labels follow LuLu standards but are produced entirely in Qatar. “Every year, we are now trying to increase that number. There is a lot of interaction between us and the local manufacturing companies. We not only provide them with the orders but we also give them the necessary consumer data, consumer demand, trends, and the quality standards that we require,” he said. He added: “LuLu Group is very proud to be associated with the National Product Week and we are giving special displays to locally-manufactured products. Biannually, we hold our own LuLu-Qatar national product week celebrations; we have partnerships with various other companies that are operating in Qatar. We wish this will continue, especially this coming Ramadan. Ends    

* Launch coincides with opening ceremony of first-of-its-kind in the region Digital Centre of Excellence at Msheireb Downtown Doha The National Skilling Programme, launched Tuesday by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in collaboration with Microsoft, aims to train 50,000 people across all demographics by 2025. The programme will also empower people with advanced digital skills needed to drive innovation and contribute to boosting the country's regional and global competitiveness. A key objective of the programme is to accelerate sustainable human development and digital transformation in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. The launch coincided with the opening ceremony of the first-of-its-kind in the region Digital Centre of Excellence at Msheireb Downtown Doha. HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohamed bin Ali al-Mannai led the launch ceremony in the presence of ministers and government officials, as well as private sector executives. The Digital Centre of Excellence is part of the National Skilling Programme, in partnership with Elev8, and expands the joint efforts of the MCIT and Microsoft to create a highly-skilled workforce for a rapidly growing, diversifying, and technologically advanced economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. The centre is expected to play a key role in building the talent pool that will help accelerate the digital transformation of government institutions and private sector companies in Qatar. Engineer Mashael Ali al-Hammadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Information Technology at MCIT, said: “The human development pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 motivates us on a daily basis to empower and equip the people of Qatar with the skills needed to develop the country into an advanced society capable of sustaining its development and providing a high standard of living for its people. “The launch of the National Skilling Programme and the opening of the Digital Centre of Excellence will be key to this effort, providing advanced knowledge of modern technology and cloud computing that will empower all demographics.” In a video message, Microsoft executive vice president Jean-Philippe Courtois said: “Digital transformation will drive new economic opportunities for the people of Qatar – that’s why we must ensure that everyone has access to the skills needed to succeed in the digital era. “The Digital Centre of Excellence will play an important role in this effort by empowering the nation’s digital workforce to leverage the power of the cloud to build a digital economy that is both advanced and sustainable.” Lana Khalaf, general manager of Microsoft Qatar, said the official launch of the National Skilling Programme and the launch of the Digital Centre of Excellence are major milestones in the tech company’s ongoing partnership with MCIT. “Our efforts represent our joint commitment to unlock opportunities for the people of Qatar in the digital era by developing the technical skills of students as well as those already in the workforce,” she said. As part of this partnership, Khalaf said more than 13,000 people in Qatar have been trained and certified across a variety of roles and audiences in just 18 months. These include students, teachers, IT professionals, developers, and business leaders. “This is an extremely significant achievement we have made toward advancing skilling and fostering a culture of tech intensity in Qatar, and we look forward to building on this momentum with the launch of the Digital Centre of Excellence and other initiatives as part of the National Skilling Programme,” she said. Msheireb Properties CEO Nasser Matar al-Kuwari said, “As a smart community built on intelligent, state-of-the-art technology systems, our goal has always been to establish Msheireb Downtown Doha as a centre of innovation. Within this goal, we aim to become the home of various Information and Communications Technology (ICT) institutions that enhance the technical capabilities of the people of Qatar and unlock the potential of the next generation of digital pioneers. “Hosting the Digital Centre of Excellence in Msheireb Downtown Doha aligns strongly to this vision as the centre will equip not only the next generation workforce but also the current workforce with the skills needed to establish Qatar as a knowledge and innovation hub in line with National Vision 2030.” elev8 president Maria Balbas said, “The partnership with Microsoft and MCIT marked a pivotal moment in Qatar’s digital transformation journey to create a highly-specialised workforce with the essential digital skills to succeed in the fourth industrial revolution.” She added, “elev8 supports a culture of lifelong learners and fosters curiosity and passion for learning. We take an innovative approach, applying elev8’s active learning methodology so that learners gain knowledge through hands-on experiences and real-life scenarios. From students to professionals, to business leaders, the Digital Centre of Excellence will empower people in Qatar with the skills needed in cutting-edge technologies for a new digital world.” The Digital Centre of Excellence aims to develop the technical skills of students, as well as those already in the workforce. Through globally-recognised, industry-endorsed role-based skilling tracks, the centre offers individuals and organisations a professional advantage by providing a range of training and certifications that skill, upskill, and reskill professionals, developers, business leaders, and current students on advanced technologies, such as cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. In cooperation with a number of leading international universities, such as MIT xPro, the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD), and HEC Paris in Qatar, the Digital Centre of Excellence will offer world-class training programmes. LinkedIn is also partnering on this initiative to complement the learning journeys of participants through dedicated workshops aimed at supporting and enabling them in their current and future jobs. The official launch of the National Skilling Programme and the opening of the Digital Centre of Excellence come ahead of the launch of a new Microsoft Cloud data centre region in Qatar, which will avail enterprise-grade cloud services, combined with data residency, security, and the broadest compliance for organisations and companies in Qatar. Ends

The ‘1,000 Opportunities Initiative’ launched on Sunday by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) on the occasion of ‘National Product Week’ allows local investors to secure investment opportunities from major international and local companies operating in Qatar. This was according to a statement by Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, who participated in the launch ceremony of National Product Week, organised by MoCI, in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), at the ministry’s headquarters in Lusail city. He explained that the ‘1,000 Opportunities Initiative’ offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to develop their products and services and become more competitive in the Qatari market. Sheikh Khalifa also said that enhancing the level of competitiveness will be advantageous to stakeholders in the private sector, allowing them to play a larger role in Qatar’s economic activity. According to Sheikh Khalifa, national products have proven their competence in both the local and international markets. He stressed that the competitiveness of local products is now at par with their international counterparts in terms of pricing and quality. This has contributed to increasing the level of the State’s self-sufficiency, he also emphasised. Sheikh Khalifa also lauded the efforts made by the ministry to support the local market, especially SMEs, and affirmed that this will “reflect positively” on the national economy. He also underscored the ministry’s role in enhancing the communication between SMEs and government bodies and praised the interest of government entities to increase their procurement of locally-manufactured products.    

Qatar witnessed an increase in the value of investments in the food products industry, which stood at QR5bn in 2021, up 69% compared to its value in 2017, HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Thani said during the launch of the ‘1,000 Opportunities Initiative’, which is part of the activities of the ‘National Product Week’. Similarly, HE Sheikh Mohamed said Qatar is currently witnessing a “remarkable increase” in the number of factories operating in the country, bringing the current number to 806 factories. The minister pointed out that the established industrial facilities have introduced new products, which totalled 845 over the past year. The 'National Product Week,' which will run until March 19, was inaugurated yesterday by the minister at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) headquarters in Lusail city in the presence of VIPs and other dignitaries. In the context of talking about Qatar’s industrial sector and the ministry’s achievements in this regard, HE Sheikh Mohamed announced the launch of the ‘1,000 Opportunities Initiative’, comprising an electronic platform within the Single Window Platform. It allows local investors to view the existing and future opportunities and projects that would meet their various needs in terms of products or services provided by local private sector companies, the minister explained, adding that the initiative is expected to contribute to providing significant investment and economic opportunities that would benefit the industrial sector, which has seen remarkable development during the past years. Acting QDB CEO Abdulrahman Hesham al-Sowaidi expressed his appreciation for the continuous support of MoCI to national companies that work alongside QDB’s support system to ensure their growth ambitions and enhance their contribution to the national economy. “During National Product Week, we celebrate Qatari products and encourage SMEs by promoting their products. We look forward to the active participation that we are well-accustomed to, of all members of the Qatari economic system and society members, to push our companies to new levels of development and excellence, in line with the goals of national development and economic diversification,” said al-Sowaidi. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of a number of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Qatar Airways, and Katara Hospitality. The National Product Week initiative is the first-of-its-kind in Qatar. It aims to celebrate the success of Qatari companies and their products in various sectors, enhance efforts to localise supply chains and support self-sufficiency and economic diversification efforts in Qatar. The National Product Week includes a variety of events and activities over a seven-day period, including a conference that brings together a group of national shareholders and the most prominent players in the Qatari economy to discuss a number of topics and issues related to national products. The events also include specialised workshops aimed at honing the capabilities of entrepreneurs and enabling them to contribute to strengthening the private sector, in addition to a series of virtual bilateral meetings between various suppliers and buyers from various economic sectors to find new co-operation opportunities among them and open new horizons that serve the interests of all entrepreneurs and also pour into achieving the forum’s goals. Moreover, the National Product Week activities entail a virtual exhibition that includes virtual pavilions introducing a variety of Qatari products.    

The State has been keen on ensuring that about 50% of the exhibits in major retail outlets are Qatari products, according to HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Thani. The minister delivered the statement when he inaugurated the activities of ‘National Product Week’, organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), on Sunday at the MoCI headquarters in Lusail city. The initiative will run until March 19. Held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, the event was attended by Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) Chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani; Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani; Civil Service and Government Development Bureau President HE Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa; Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, and Qatar Airways Group CEO and Qatar Tourism Chairman HE Akbar al-Baker. In his speech, the minister described ‘National Product Week’ as “an additional building block” to the many achievements that have contributed to supporting Qatari products. “It also represents the culmination of a long process of success, starting at the brainstorming phase, followed by production and then market access, in addition to going through the stages of development, training, and continuous supervision aimed at raising the efficiency and ability of national companies to win supply deals and tenders,” he explained. He stressed that work has been done to raise the level of access to national goods and products to the largest number of sales outlets in the country. “This is being achieved by directing the allocation of about 50% of the exhibits for Qatari products, in addition to meeting and co-ordinating with more than 30 governmental and semi-governmental agencies to motivate them in giving priority to national products and increase their purchases in this field,” he said. The minister lauded the continuous co-operation with the relevant authorities and partners that have contributed to the success of the initiative, especially QDB, which has launched several pioneering initiatives, such as the virtual platform for co-ordination meetings, ‘Meet Your Manufacturer’, which was launched last year as the “first virtual platform-of-its-kind” to support Qatari companies and introduce buyers to local manufacturers. He said about 190 companies were registered on the platform, and the value of the contracts signed amounted to over QR63mn. QDB also organised four successful editions of the Government Procurement and Contracting Conference and Exhibition (Moushtarayat) since 2016, which secured deals with a total value of QR3.042bn, he also said. Moreover, HE Sheikh Mohamed said an initiative to promote the buying of national products was organised in three distinct editions, which were held in “extraordinary circumstances” and “under great challenges.” He underlined the efforts to enhance co-operation with other government agencies and bodies, such as Kahramaa, which presented during the event an integrated procurement plan for the next five years, in addition to close co-operation with Katara Hospitality with which the value of local contracts amounted to about QR21.3mn last year. The minister said co-ordination was made with Qatar Airways by concluding several procurement contracts with national companies since 2019. The value of contracts last year amounted to about QR100mn, which were offered to national companies specialising in the food and beverage industry. On a related level, HE Sheikh Mohamed noted the keenness to enhance continuous co-operation and co-ordination with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) in implementing many other initiatives aimed at accelerating the localisation of supply chains. He said MoCI is encouraging national industrial institutions to increase their productivity, in line with the Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022 and the Qatar National Manufacturing Strategy, hence the launch of the joint framework contracts initiative, in co-operation with the Ministry of Finance and Hamad Medical Corporation. “In this regard, the initiative primarily covered the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sector, and its scope will be expanded to include other sectors, in co-ordination with the concerned authorities,” HE Sheikh Mohamed said.    

The Indonesia-Qatar Business Dialogue, which will be held on March 17, will feature leading officials from both countries to speak about ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties. “The business dialogue is intended to realise plans and initiatives that have been discussed before the pandemic by expanding the choice of traded products. The webinars are also intended to introduce potential investment shares in Indonesia in the fields of data centre and renewable resources projects, among others. “Business co-operation can also be carried out in the field of sports, especially football and higher education. Several top universities in Indonesia are ready to co-operate with Qatar,” Indonesia-Qatar Business Council (IQBC) president Hendra Hartono Turman told Gulf Times. Titled ‘Optimising Bilateral Collaboration Between Indonesia & Qatar: Recover Together – Recover Stronger’, the business dialogue would include the following strategies and initiatives: ways for all parties to collaborate on strategies needed on sustaining economic activity, as well as a recommendation for a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and agreement on several key initiatives between all parties, Turman said. Qatar-Indonesia Business Council (QIBC) president Farhan al-Sayed also said the business dialogue would be held at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is subsiding, which opens an opportunity for both countries to grow their trade relations. “The supply chain between Qatar and Indonesia is in very good shape, thanks to the state-of-the-art facilities of Hamad Port, and to Qatar Airways, which plies regular routes between the two countries. “Qatar and Indonesia have a lot to trade, not only in the hydrocarbons industry, but also in non-hydrocarbons, considering that the Southeast Asian nation also specialises in manufactured goods, textiles, leather, building materials, food products, and metals, among many others,” al-Sayed pointed out. He added: “We cannot also discount the role played by Indonesia in innovation and technology. Digital lifestyle and services, such as e-commerce, mobile apps, and web design, as well as in sectors involving tourism, banking and finance, and insurance are also areas where Indonesia has been excelling.”

The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) hosted Tuesday a webinar that focuses on the indispensable role played by women in the economic landscape of Qatar, which includes sports. “Their participation has not only led to substantial economic growth but has simultaneously empowered women from all walks of life to take an active role in the advancement of their country’s prosperity, as well as their personal and professional goals,” said Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad al-Thani, managing director, USQBC Doha Office. Titled ‘Women at the Forefront: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,’ Sheikha Mayes said the webinar was held in partnership with the Office of the Commercial Attache at the embassy of Qatar in the US, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and the Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT). The online discussion, which was moderated by WIIT board member Kelly Ann Shaw, featured Fatma al-Nuaimi, communications executive director at the SC, Bodour al-Meer, sustainability director at the SC, and Lana Khalaf, general manager, Microsoft Qatar. “Their work has inspired many and will surely leave behind an outstanding legacy. The members of the panel have excelled in their fields and have contributed to advancing the country’s economic and sustainability initiatives,” Sheikha Mayes stressed. She said the webinar celebrates the role of women in leadership positions who are tackling the professional and sporting worlds. According to Sheikha Mayes, the country has put a large emphasis on the effective participation of women in its labour force through Qatar National Vision 2030. Sheikha Mayes said the Qatar Second National Development Strategy (2018-2022) “addresses how taking advantage of highly-educated Qatari women is central to the country’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.” The government of Qatar has empowered women in the country through access to education, economic participation, and career opportunities supporting growth and development, she added. “Qatar has a 59% female labour participation rate, which is above the global average and is the highest in the Arab world. In addition to actively promoting female participation in the workforce, Qatar has also made strides to combat climate change to reduce the carbon footprint of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “Qatar also made an effort towards promoting sustainability initiatives based on innovation and technology. This technology works with the design of the stadiums in mind, by making them more efficient and environment-friendly,” Sheikha Mayes added. During the discussion, al-Nuaimi noted that with the expected 1.2mn tourists coming to Qatar for the tournament, the influx of visitors would benefit the country’s tourism industry. “We’re working with a lot of stakeholders here to make sure that there is a lot of variety and many activities that people can do,” al-Nuaimi said, citing that Russia’s tourism industry flourished after it hosted the World Cup. Al-Meer pointed out that Qatar has so many inspiring Qatari female leaders: “I strongly believe that Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser is a role model for most of us in Qatar. She is very intelligent, well-educated, and elegant. She plays a huge part in Qatar’s development and transformation. “She is an encouragement for women to study, work, and take control of their lives. She also opened the door for Qatari females to handle leadership positions in the country. “The World Cup has helped shed light to change the stereotypes about women in the Middle East. However, women in Qatar had already started to handle leadership positions way before we won the right to host the World Cup.” Khalaf said Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is a “great” and “amazing” platform to showcase the different leadership skills and talents of women in Qatar and the Middle East. “The participation of these women leaders is a clear image to the world and to everybody coming to Qatar that women are leading some of these critical initiatives and in sports,” she said.

The role of women in Qatar’s society has taken great strides and has achieved many milestones, according to a panel of experts during a discussion organised on Monday by The Business Year (TBY), in partnership with The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA). The event, titled ‘Female Voices & the Qatari Economy’, was held to commemorate International Women’s Day in Qatar. The welcome note was given by QBWA vice chairwoman Aisha Hussain Alfardan, while the keynote speech was delivered by Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad al-Thani, deputy CEO of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). Alfardan lauded the achievements of women in Qatar and the efforts in furthering initiatives and objectives that would help support and promote women’s participation in economic development. Sheikha Alanoud said, “I am encouraged, though, that here in Qatar the future is bright. Our workforce is eager and growing. Qatari women outnumber men in higher education, and participation of women in STEM education fields in Qatar is nearly 50% higher than the global average. “Women in Qatar also outnumber men in creating new small businesses – the Qatar Business Incubation Centre, for example, has incubated more than 50 women-led companies since it was launched.” The discussion revolved around topics, such as education for women’s empowerment, digitalisation and the role of women in Qatar, sports as an engine for growth after the World Cup, and developments in Qatar’s healthcare sector. The experts include Machaille al-Naimi, president of Community Development, Qatar Foundation (QF); Fatma al-Nuaimi, Communications executive director at Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC); Dr Muna al-Maslamani, medical director, Communicable Diseases Centre of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC); and Lana Khalaf, country general manager, Microsoft. Nataly Almanza Madrid, country manager, The Business Year, was the moderator of the discussion. "As an organization dedicated to unlocking human potential, Qatar Foundation has an important responsibility to empower and give opportunity to the entire community of Qatar, and a special responsibility to lead and exemplify the empowerment of all, including women. Our ecosystem, and our values, are characterized by openness, diversity, and inclusivity. At Qatar Foundation, we are committed to empowering women through education, providing greater opportunities in university enrolment, business and entrepreneurship, science and technology, research and innovation, and many other fields,"  al-Naimi said. According to al-Maslaman, in the past two decades, Qatar witnessed an increase in higher education, which led to more opportunities for women to get employed and participate in economic development here and across the region. She said this also helped advance women’s career paths, giving them the chance to occupy high leadership positions in different sectors in Qatar. Education has been a significant factor for women to be part of Qatar’s Shura Council, al-Maslaman emphasised. Al-Nuaimi said all preparations for the World Cup are “on track” and that all competition venues are ready. She said the SC is also focusing on delivering the best fan experience during the games. Khalaf said Microsoft is giving its best efforts to provide the “latest and greatest” technology to enable, whether the smart stadiums or the workforce involved in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as well as the fan experience, which is critical in showing the country’s hospitality and its “amazing resiliency.”    

Hypermarket chain LuLu is open to working with startups in Qatar for the development of different solutions for a variety of applications, according to Dr Mohamed Althaf, director, LuLu Group International. Speaking to Gulf Times, Althaf said many innovative startups have made their presence in the Qatari market. “We hope they could get the much-needed support, and we are looking for ways on how we could collaborate with them,” he noted. “There are a lot of encouraging signs in Qatar; a lot of startup companies are going to the country, and we hope that Qatar would attract more startups to come here. These companies should not be specific to the retail sector. Because today, every business is interconnected. “For example, whatever developments that happen to fintech or to other sectors, they would indirectly benefit our payment solutions. Fulfilment solutions worldwide are used for logistics or in electronic processing; it is the same technology that even we will be using,” Althaf explained. Althaf noted that LuLu is keen to work with startups and app developers to explore solutions in the field of delivery, payments, or even in traceability, stating that it is possible to digitally trace “almost anything” from a company’s carbon footprint to organic certifications. “We are in talks with some people who really provide umbrella startup services. We are not looking for retail solutions only – it could be any type of solution that could be developed in digital marketing, payments, food wastage control, and carbon footprint, among many others,” he clarified. Earlier, Althaf had told Gulf Times that LuLu will establish Qatar’s first robotic fulfilment centre, adding that the company is almost in the final stages of negotiations with one of the most advanced, cutting-edge robotics companies in Europe. He also said LuLu is getting the hardware for reverse vending machines (RVMs) for plastic bottles. “At some point, we want that to be integrated with some software or app that is available, processed, and made in Qatar,” he said, adding that the hypermarket will be implementing self-scan checkouts. “I think at some point all these things should be done by an algorithm and with robots. One thing that we're going to do is to automate all our shelf reading, and based on a robotic and automated system, it will tell you the items that are out of stock, so we are discussing automating that part of our business,” Althaf emphasised. He said, “I believe all these ecosystems should come together. Every business today is part of the knowledge-based economy. The food sector is a high-tech business. Every technology is useful; drone technology has been widely used in the military. “But today, drones are being used in warehouses for stocktaking. Drones are also being used in many sectors, such as in agriculture. Similarly, every technology that is evolving will have an impact on us.”    

Qatar’s overall entrepreneurship ecosystem is changing thanks to the country’s rapid digital acceleration efforts, which has been benefiting many fintechs, tech-based companies, and other startups, according to Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seetharaman. “This year is going to be a major breakthrough for Qatar. It is a defining moment; priorities will be visible, so the opportunities for entrepreneurs are there and they only need to take advantage of what the government is offering to them. “This is an advantage for entrepreneurs in terms of guaranteed access to funding as long as their ideas and companies have value creation,” Seetharaman told Gulf Times on the sidelines of a session titled ‘Convergence of Conventional Banking with New-Age Fintech Startups’ hosted recently by Startup Grind Doha. According to Seetharaman, Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup “is designed to deliver sustainable value creation.” “Digital acceleration is a way of sustainability. The whole world will be stunned by this digital acceleration embedded in the World Cup. You will find innovation within the frame. I think that will reignite and set a very high standard for the World Cup itself. “By bringing the World Cup here, you will have much more digital acceleration in the coming days through multiple tools. Through innovation, new technology will evolve,” Seetharaman explained. Seetharaman also said digital acceleration is also redefining Qatar’s banking system. In the financial services sector, banks will have to collaborate because the different mechanisms in terms of different facets of banking are being transformed, he stressed. “Technology is an integral part of society’s way of life. Trade will change; buyers and sellers will come together. Fintechs will become partners in the banking frame. It applies to every industry. You have to change the business model; that's the need of the hour,” he said. In the same way, Seetharaman said entrepreneurs and owners of small companies should embrace digital transformation to cope with the changing times. “Every entrepreneur, in today’s context, has to realise that digital convergence is a must so that he has got direct access to the global market – that's the principle-centred value this new revolution is giving. There’s a new world order. Let us embrace the technology, work with partners, and let us collaborate more,” he pointed out. On Qatar’s entrepreneurial culture in 2022, Seetharaman said: “I think you'll find more and more innovators, and entrepreneurship will flourish, so I am confident that 2022 will be a major driver for innovation for Qatar. And you'll have more entrepreneurship assuming in the coming days. We invite young minds to partake in this great movement of digital convergence.”    

German companies are keen to cooperate with Qatar, especially beyond the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in sectors like e-mobility, solar energy, and hydrogen, as well as other environmentally-sound and sustainable strategies, German ambassador Dr Claudius Fischbach said yesterday on the occasion of Dorsch’s 10th anniversary in Qatar and 70th worldwide. “The presence of Dorsch in Qatar for the past 10 years is an example of the engagement of German companies here, especially in the environmental field, such as their project in Lusail, which is practically a city of the future,” Fischbach told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the anniversary celebrations held in West Bay. “This is an ideal example of how German companies can contribute to the reduction of CO2 and the carbon footprint of this country. Other German countries, such as Siemens, have done the same thing. This company is contributing to the first solar energy plant in this country think,” he stressed Fischbach said, “Hydrogen is a very important energy for the future. We think gas is a bridging technology and it plays its role; right now we see in Europe how much we need gas and where do we get the gas from. It's important; nobody doubts that gas is more environmentally-friendly than all the other fossil energies. That is true and it's especially true for Qatari LNG. But still, we need to achieve net-zero in the end, which we can only achieve with other technologies like wind, biomass, and hydrogen.” According to Fischbach, many other German companies helped in the construction of mega-projects in Qatar, such as the tram in Msheireb and in Lusail, as well as in many fields. “We are very willing to do more in the field of sustainable development. What we wish for is that Qatar might, for instance, be even more active in the field of future technologies, such as hydrogen, and there are so many German companies that would love to cooperate as they do in other Gulf countries in order to promote this energy of the future,” he emphasised. On Qatar’s pledge to invest €10bn in Germany, which was announced by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in 2018, Fisbach said he is expecting to see “more investments in the near future by Qatari companies.” Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said more German companies are investing in Qatar, especially in the Free Zones, as well as other locations across the country. “Our role as Qatar Chamber is to market Qatar to the international community. This year, as the world economies are recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are expecting more international delegations to arrive in Doha. We are also looking at sending Qatari business delegations to meet with our international partners,” he said. Dorsch Qatar general manager Hossam Korra said the company has gained milestones through its flagship project in Lusail City since its establishment here in 2012. The 3,500-hectare project will be home to around 450,000 people and includes commercial and residential areas with open spaces and parks. “We thank the leaders and the citizens of Qatar in giving us the chance to achieve the highest standards of prosperity for all residents as a part of Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to lead the country into a post-oil future,” Korraa stressed.

The Centre for Social Development (Nama) on Thursday launched the activities of its ‘Social Entrepreneurship Programme’, in co-operation with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The programme, which will run until March 2, aims to empower young people and workers, and to build their capacities in social work field. Its main objective is to build the capacities of young Qatari men and women, aged 20 to 35 years, in the field of social development work, thus empowering them and developing their scientific knowledge and skills. The Social Entrepreneurship Programme will provide Qatari youth with a unique opportunity to learn about leading best practices in major international institutions and companies in this domain. They will benefit from practical contact, increase their knowledge in this perspective, and enhance their professional practices and performances. The participants will undergo two basic stages on developing the capacities of institutions and youth, and enhancing their role in the field of social work, consisting of a training phase and the ‘Training of Trainers’. The programme will focus on several main axes: the most important concepts of social work, its moral principles, and its link to human rights and social responsibility. It will also focus on providing the appropriate environment to increase the effectiveness of youth participation in social work and to enhance their skills. Ahmed al-Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, said: “There is no doubt that social work is one of the most wonderful acts in line with the principles of our religion and human nature in general. It is all about righteousness, piety, benefiting others, and contributing effectively to solve many social problems facing society. “And based on our vision to develop our society and consolidate its foundations altogether, we are doing our best to enhance the welfare of our people, look after their health, build the capabilities of human cadres and the skills of their children, and serve them through our centres. We are specialised in family stability support, orphan care, child and women protection, youth empowerment, care and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, and caring for the elderly.” Nama executive director Saba al-Fadala underscored the value of co-operating with the Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development cluster at ESCWA. She said, “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with ESCWA as the result of the great success of our joint experience in introducing the ‘Sawari’ Social Entrepreneurs Development Programme; and we thank Ooredoo, our Platinum sponsor in this programme. “Today, we are going the extra mile reinforcing this co-operation through which our visions are aligned and our efforts are combined to make a real difference in the lives of our community's people, guided by the global plans and sustainable development goals, with the human element as the most important pillar.” Al-Fadala added: “We are moving together through these efforts to create more opportunities for our generation today and our promising youth, paving the way for broader horizons and better opportunities for future generations.” Maryam al-Marri, head of Youth-Capacity Building Department at Nama, said: “We are very pleased to launch the activities of the vocational training programme, which frames our continuous efforts to enhance the capabilities of young men and women in Qatari society. “It is worthy to note that this stems from our strategic vision based on understanding the challenges facing Qatari youth, and helping them to overcome these challenges in order to be active in society while supporting Qatar’s aim towards a knowledge-based economy in the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030.” She added: “The workshops aim to raise awareness among the participants about human rights issues in general and social justice. They will also review the most important qualities and competencies of the social worker in Qatar. We hope that this programme will achieve its desired goals in the short and long term.” Nama was established in 1996 in line with the mission of Qatar Foundation for Social Work. Its main vision is to encourage the youth to invest in a system of training programmes that enhance their skills and knowledge and qualify them to contribute to modern society. The centre offers several development projects in the field of social work, entrepreneurship, and social entrepreneurship to achieve its strategy based on promoting social work and consolidating social leadership, as well as expanding the options available to young people to participate in this field.    

Sri Lanka is playing a significant role in the food security needs of Qatar amidst steady growth in its local and expatriate population and the imminent influx of millions of tourists for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, according to a top business leader. “Qatar’s population is growing and as we come close to hosting the World Cup by the end of this year, LuLu is diversifying the State’s sources of food different nationalities, so from a food security perspective, Sri Lanka is a reliable partner, Dr Mohamed Althaf, director, LuLu Group International, told Gulf Times. Through LuLu’s sourcing facility in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, Althaf said Sri Lanka is able to export fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other food products to Qatar. “This is an ideal strategy because Sri Lanka has the same food basket as that of other Southeast Asian countries. Whenever we have supply issues with other countries, Sri Lanka can be a very good support source,” Althaf explained. This was also echoed by Sri Lankan ambassador Mohamed Mafaz Mohideen, who stressed that LuLu’s direct dealings with local suppliers are not only generating employment and business for Sri Lankan farmers, food producers, and SMEs, but giving them access to the Qatari market, thus improving both countries’ bilateral trade exchange. Qatar-Sri Lanka bilateral trade stood at “$90mn” in 2021, according to Mohideen, who noted that he expects business relations with Sri Lankan manufacturers and traders to expand across many different sectors. The ambassador emphasised that in terms of food security, the export of Sri Lanka’s vast agricultural products “will help stabilise the country’s food market.” He stressed that LuLu and Sri Lanka’s partnership helped guarantee the steady and uninterrupted supply of goods to Qatar from Sri Lankan producers. Althaf said LuLu has started its private label in its sourcing facility in Colombo, as well as contract manufacturing. He said not only is the hypermarket chain able to provide the needs of the Sri Lankan community here, but LuLu also caters to expatriates and citizens' food and non-food requirements. “We are also looking at some lines that people don’t traditionally associate with Sri Lanka, such as large organic varieties of coconuts and organic vegetables and similar items. Through our textile section, LuLu now offers a variety of quality saris and other women’s garments from Sri Lanka. “We are also handling skin care products based on organic vegetable oils and other products. The customer response was very good. At least 80% of these products are not aimed only at Sri Lankans; they are meant for the general customer. Once travel abroad picks up and the flight frequencies increase, we hope to have more products from Sri Lanka coming in,” said Althaf. He added: “We are busy exporting a wide range of products. Our facility in Colombo is doing a lot of local level coordination there, as well as quality control operational procedures like what we have done in our facilities in other countries. “Our target is to expand our sourcing base, so we can make sure that good quality products are available consistently and without any disruptions. Sri Lanka is now adding more items to our customer base in Qatar, such as textiles, handicrafts, and organic skincare items.”