Qatar has increased its direct imports of strategic goods from around the world to 97% in November compared to 82.8% in May, achieving great success in opening up to international markets to meet the country’s need for goods of high quality at competitive prices, a senior official said yesterday.
Chairman of the General Authority of Customs (GAC) Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Jamal said this reflects Qatar’s ability to tackle shortage of goods and meet the country’s requirements in co-ordination with importers, which led to diversifying sources of high quality imports at suitable prices.
Al-Jamal said in the past months the GAC has strengthened its staff at seaports and airports to ensure that the goods, especially the perishable variety, are cleared rapidly.
He said because of the unjust siege the GAC facilitated faster customs procedures, which helped local companies diversify the sources of direct imports.
The Authority chief noted that Qatar has managed to meet the requirements of the local market for commodities of high quality at competitive prices and variety compared with items that were imported from the siege countries.
He stressed that the customs facilities for the import of food items and the availability of suitable alternatives and the permanent and direct co-ordination with importers and partners from government departments have contributed significantly to the availability and stability of food prices.
Regarding the imports of building materials, al-Jamal said the competent authorities in the country provided suitable alternatives both in terms of prices and quantities in a manner that led to the stability of prices and availability in the local market.
He said the the direct import of new products from other countries after the unjust blockade by the siege nations and the opening of local companies to the international markets have ensured that the construction of all state projects including those related to the 2022 World Cup and infrastructure continue at the same pace, demonstrating the ability of the country to meet all challenges.
The GAC chief said that the planning and co-operation between various governmental and quasi-government bodies and enhancing the private sector’s role, improving the investment climate have all resulted in achieving the lowest possible import costs and increasing returns to the highest level.
Al-Jamal also said that blockade has had no impact on the availability of medicines after imports from the siege countries stopped.
He said suppliers were able to provide suitable alternatives without affecting the prices of medicines.
Ahmed Issa al-Mohannadi, Assistant Head of the Customs Authority, said the GAC provided all information on alternative countries from which goods can be imported at reasonable prices.
He said that the General Authority has studied the impact of the blockade on the domestic market, and came out with alternatives to ensure the stability of the Qatari economy.
He stressed the new measures have resulted in a significant increase in revenues for the Customs Authority.
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