Discussions are ongoing to transform Qatar into an export hub for grain from Russia to address food security issues in the region and in other neighbouring countries, Qatar Chamber vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari has said.
Speaking to Gulf Times yesterday on the sidelines of a business meeting between the chamber and a delegation from Moscow, al-Kuwari explained that the hub will be located at the new Hamad Port. “In food security, we are proposing a strategic project to store grain from Russia at the Hamad Port. Aside from storage, this project also proposes to transform Qatar into a main hub for the region or for other countries for grain,” he said.
Similarly, al-Kuwari said the project will also cater to the grain industry in terms of packaging and export of different types of grain.
“Russia is strong in food security. They have grain for both livestock and human consumption, which is the main concern now. And food security is a major area where Russia can contribute to Qatar’s needs,” he noted.
Asked about the lead agency for the project, al-Kuwari said the proposal came from a group of Qatari investors and that the project might run under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. “But everything is still under discussions between the government, the partners, and Russia,” he emphasised.
Citing the role of Hamad Port in the project, al-Kuwari said “logistics and transportation are the main thing,” adding that the project would be “a first for Qatar” and could serve as a hub not only for food security “but for a lot of industries.”
Asked about the size of the facility, he said: “There is still no specific size for the facility, yet but we will get more details as the discussions go further. Definitely, it will be a main hub; there is nothing in the area like this project.”
On the operations of the Hamad Port starting today, al-Kuwari said: “It is the signal for Qatar. We have been waiting for a long time, and it is a main concern for local businessmen in terms of seaport facilities.”

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