Qatar Development Bank (QDB) is embarking on a new initiative that will promote home farming among residents in the country using hydroponics technology, a senior official has said.
The initiative, which is expected to be launched soon, is cost-efficient and “will clearly make Qatar more self-sufficient,” says QDB executive director of Business Finance Khalid Abdulla al-Mana.
Al-Mana, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a press conference on the Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition 2018, said the programme is similar to QDB’s efforts to help farmers increase crop production in Qatar.
The official told Gulf Times that QDB’s home farming initiative will also involve training residents in hydroponics technology. “It is a very good programme because it is not expensive,” he said.
According to al-Mana, Qatar has a high-level of self-sufficiency in food items such as dairy or fresh poultry. He noted that QDB is working towards reaching 100% self-sufficiency and even more with export possibilities.
From April 1 to 3, the Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition 2018 will gather more than 120 leading local, regional and international production line manufacturers from around 20 countries, said Abdulrahman Saleh al-Obaidly, chairman of HiSky for Tourism and Exhibitions, which is organising the expo at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Al-Obaidly said exhibitors from Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, the UK, Turkey, Spain, the US, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Iran, China, Japan, India, Malaysia and Sweden are expected to participate in the event.
Eight countries have already reserved booth space, he said.
He noted that the exhibition “is a clear demonstration that the country is being steered towards growth and success, under the able and visionary governance of its leaders”, even as the blockade imposed on Qatar is well into its eighth month.
“The nation has continued to move ahead, displaying resilience and a clear determination to grow and become self-reliant,” he stressed.
Al-Mana described the exhibition as a first-of-its-kind initiative, which provides the best environment to encourage investment in several sectors in Qatar, namely the manufacturing sector.
“This exhibition opens new opportunities for major industries to showcase their latest solutions and services that answer the state’s diversification strategy. At QDB, we continue to support local SMEs and strengthen their capacity to contribute to the state’s economic sustainability. In addition, we remain committed to activating the manufacturing sector and elevating SMEs to become the main provider for the State of Qatar,” he said.
Qatari Businessmen Association chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani said Qatar is now ready to welcome all projects that offer added value, especially after the regulations and procedures announced by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani related to free zones and foreign investments.
He also said the exhibition serves as a platform for foreign investors to showcase their projects and meet Qatari businessmen. He also invited Qatari companies in all sectors to take part in the event and take advantage of the opportunities the exhibition will offer.
The Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition 2018 is supported by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce as main partner, QDB as official partner, Qatar Airways (official carrier) and QBA (development partner).
Al-Mana, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a press conference on the Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition 2018, said the programme is similar to QDB’s efforts to help farmers increase crop production in Qatar.
The official told Gulf Times that QDB’s home farming initiative will also involve training residents in hydroponics technology. “It is a very good programme because it is not expensive,” he said.
According to al-Mana, Qatar has a high-level of self-sufficiency in food items such as dairy or fresh poultry. He noted that QDB is working towards reaching 100% self-sufficiency and even more with export possibilities.
From April 1 to 3, the Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition 2018 will gather more than 120 leading local, regional and international production line manufacturers from around 20 countries, said Abdulrahman Saleh al-Obaidly, chairman of HiSky for Tourism and Exhibitions, which is organising the expo at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Al-Obaidly said exhibitors from Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, the UK, Turkey, Spain, the US, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Iran, China, Japan, India, Malaysia and Sweden are expected to participate in the event.
Eight countries have already reserved booth space, he said.
He noted that the exhibition “is a clear demonstration that the country is being steered towards growth and success, under the able and visionary governance of its leaders”, even as the blockade imposed on Qatar is well into its eighth month.
“The nation has continued to move ahead, displaying resilience and a clear determination to grow and become self-reliant,” he stressed.
Al-Mana described the exhibition as a first-of-its-kind initiative, which provides the best environment to encourage investment in several sectors in Qatar, namely the manufacturing sector.
“This exhibition opens new opportunities for major industries to showcase their latest solutions and services that answer the state’s diversification strategy. At QDB, we continue to support local SMEs and strengthen their capacity to contribute to the state’s economic sustainability. In addition, we remain committed to activating the manufacturing sector and elevating SMEs to become the main provider for the State of Qatar,” he said.
Qatari Businessmen Association chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani said Qatar is now ready to welcome all projects that offer added value, especially after the regulations and procedures announced by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani related to free zones and foreign investments.
He also said the exhibition serves as a platform for foreign investors to showcase their projects and meet Qatari businessmen. He also invited Qatari companies in all sectors to take part in the event and take advantage of the opportunities the exhibition will offer.
The Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition 2018 is supported by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce as main partner, QDB as official partner, Qatar Airways (official carrier) and QBA (development partner).
