Qatar’s pavilion at the Hannover Fair 2019 has seen a large turnout of businessmen, officials, representatives of the industrial and trade sectors and international media.
The 1000-square metre pavilion the Ministry of Commerce and Industry hosted for the second consecutive year brought together representatives of the Qatar Chamber, the Qatar Financial Centre, Manateq, the Qatar Free Zones Authority, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail), the Qatar Development Bank and the Qatar Science and Technology Park.
Participating private companies included Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC), Ebn Sina Medical, Qatar Aluminium (Qatalum), Doha Cables, Bin Aman Plastic Industries and Qatar Steel.
Participating entities showcased the most prominent initiatives undertaken by Qatar to attract and stimulate investments in the industrial sector and enhance its strategy of supporting the private sector and offering incentives to attract investors and foreign capital.
Participants also introduced Qatari industries in various sectors and the latest technological developments and advanced equipment being used in the industrial sector, in addition to the investment opportunities and incentives granted to investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs seeking to invest in various industries. These incentives promote domestic and foreign investments and contribute to the economic development of Qatar.
The large number of represented entities reflected Qatar’s advanced position as well as the country's “promising” investment opportunities and “attractive” investment climate for local and foreign companies, participants noted.
The fair provided a platform for Qatari companies to promote their products, access new markets and export their high-quality goods to global markets.
Abdulbasit Talib al-Ajji, director (Business Development and Investment Promotion Department) at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said, "Through Qatar’s pavilion, the Ministry aims to showcase the key characteristics that position Qatar as an attractive economic environment for foreign investments as well as the incentives and legislations endorsed by the State to support the private sector, which would result in growing foreign direct investment and attract an additional number of German companies to the Qatari market."
Ali Sultan al-Kuwari of Qatar Development Bank said the bank’s participation in the fair falls in line with its efforts to promote local industries and provide clients access to international markets, which will bolster Qatari exports and contribute to the accomplishment of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Manateq director (Business Development) Adel Wali said that Manateq, through its participation in the fair, aims to promote investment opportunities in industrial, logistics and economic zones. These areas are strategically located across the country and are home to high-quality infrastructure that enable investors to set up businesses and companies in a growth-oriented and prosperous environment.
Abdulla al-Naimi, director (Corporate Government Relations) at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (Qatar Foundation) said the QSTP has sought to become a global hub for research, energy, environment, technology and education since its establishment in 2009.
Since then, the QSTP has attracted a large number of companies thanks to the incentives it offers, including tax and customs exemptions as well as its advanced legislative framework, which streamline services provided to governmental and non-governmental agencies, al-Naimi said.
"We host numerous multinational companies, including General Electric, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Total, Shell and other tech companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Gulf Bridge International and petroleum companies that conduct environmental research in terms of water and air sustainability,” al-Naimi noted.
Mohamed al-Mohannadi of Qatar Chamber, which is being represented at Qatar’s pavilion for the second consecutive year, said QC was seeking to secure new partnerships and joint ventures.
Al-Mohannadi hailed Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC), Ebn Sina Medical, Qatar Aluminium (Qatalum), Doha Cables, Bin Aman Plastic Industries and Qatar Steel for participating in the fair under the umbrella of Qatar Chamber, noting that these five companies were among 350 manufacturing companies based in Qatar.
Mohamed al-Mustafawi al-Hashemi of Qatar Rail said, "Our participation in the Hannover fair is aimed primarily at showcasing our potential, identifying the potential of other participants, drawing on their expertise and identifying opportunities that benefit Qatari companies.
“We are also seeking to introduce participants and visitors to Qatar Rail’s projects, which consist in first phase of 37 stations, including 31 underground stations and six ground stations as well as rail lines that will serve the regions of Doha, Al Wakrah and Lusail, to be completed in 2020. The second phase will be implemented to promote sustainable development in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030."
Nasser al-Nuaimi, representative of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said the committee seeks to showcase stadiums including Al Thumama, Khalifa International, Educational City, Ras Abu Aboud, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, and Lusail stadiums.
Al-Nuaimi explained that the fair attracted a large number of German visitors who were briefed on the development of these stadiums and their potential.
On Qatar Free Zones Authority’s participation in the fair, its representative Maarouf Mahmoud said they have met with foreign companies to outline investment terms in Qatar, particularly those related to companies in the industrial and technology sectors. The fair provided a platform to network with companies looking to invest in Qatar.
Representatives of the Qatar Financial Centre, said the QFC was seeking to advertise financial services it offered and shed light on corporate registration procedures to attract foreign and German companies to invest in the Qatari market and tap local opportunities through the centre.
