The third edition of this year’s ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition will be held in Kuwait from February 19 to 22, Qatar Chamber announced in a press conference held in Doha Tuesday.
The expo is organised by Qatar Chamber, in co-operation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), and in co-ordination with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani told reporters that the expo aims to promote Qatari goods abroad amid the success and demand of these products in the local market. He said the decision to hold the expo in Kuwait stems from “fraternal relations of both countries” fields and “the fast-growing commercial relations between their private sectors.”


Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani answers questions from reporters during the press conference held at the chamber's Doha headquarters

Sheikh Khalifa said the chamber is keen on strengthening communication between Qatari manufacturers and businessmen and their Kuwaiti counterparts with the aim of achieving industrial partnerships to serve both nations’ economies, and increase bilateral trade, which stood at QR1.5bn in H1 2019.
He said the expo would highlight the significant developments in Qatar’s industry, “which rapidly developed since the June 2017 siege on Qatar.” Since the economic blockade, the number of factories in Qatar increased to 800 factories, while projects that started production stood at 116, he continued.
“The great support of the wise leadership to the expo since its inception in 2009 reflected the interest in promoting the Qatari products locally and globally. The support represented a strong motive for the chamber to exert extra efforts for the development of the industrial sector and achieving the desired industrial boom,” noted Sheikh Khalifa, who underscored ‘Made in Qatar’s’ success for its seven previous editions, two of which were held abroad.
Sheikh Khalifa also said the ‘Qatar-Kuwait Business Forum’ will be held on the sidelines of the expo to give both sides the opportunity to review and enhance co-operation relations to assure that the event and its related activities serve as a platform for participants to discuss investment opportunities available in all sectors. It is also expected to help establish alliances and commercial deals between Qatari and Kuwaiti companies.
QDB executive director of Business Finance Khalid Abdulla al-Mana, who was also present during the press conference, said the expo represents a marketing tool to help promote Qatari industry and products, even as he lauded the role it plays in raising awareness and knowledge about products and businesses in the local market.
He also lauded the previous successes of the expo, noting that the upcoming edition in Kuwait “would offer a great opportunity for both sides to exchange expertise, establish new economic alliances, and develop relations that serve the economies of both countries, as well as contribute to their sustainability and prosperity.”
Al-Mana praised the state’s interest in the industrial sector and the government’s efforts to develop the sector in line with the country’s strategy that aims to achieve economic diversification, which is a key pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
He said, “The expo represents a forum that gathers Qatari companies and factories under one umbrella to offer an opportunity for manufacturers and businessmen to get acquainted with the Qatari industry and its advantages, and explore what new industries the local market needs.”
On the sidelines of the press conference, Qatar Chamber and QDB signed strategic partnership agreement, making QDB a strategic partner of ‘Made in Qatar 2020’. The agreement was signed by board member and chairman of the Industry Committee Rashid bin Nasser al-Kaabi and al-Mana.
Qatar Chamber director general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi also told reporters that the expo, which will be held for the third time outside Qatar, will take place on a 10,000 sq m area at the Kuwait International Fair; around 180 companies have already confirmed their participation in the event.
Al-Sharqi, who lauded the role QDB is playing to support industry and local products, said he expects the number of exhibitors to reach more than 220 companies and factories, of which 20% are participating for the first time.
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