The private sector benefited from the launch of direct shipping routes linking Hamad Port with other major ports abroad, according to Qatar Chamber director general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi.
He also said the port enabled the private sector to boost its external trade and open new channels for businessmen to secure local and international investments.
“This also enabled it to increase its non-oil exports and helped local products reach many international markets, as well as in contributing to the development of the agricultural and industrial sectors and the achievement of self-sufficiency in many products,” al-Sharqi stated in Al Moltaqa, the chamber’s monthly economic magazine.
Al-Sharqi said three years after the unjust blockade imposed on Qatar, the private sector managed to develop and prove that “it deserved the Wise Leadership’s interest, trust, and support.”
“The siege enabled the Qatari private sector to become stronger, more mature, and more engaged in the economic activity. During this period, the private sector has proved that it is a real partner to the public sector in the march of economic development.
“Since the onset of the blockade, the private sector played a key role in securing the needs of the market, such as food products at reasonable prices and in record time through its distinguished commercial relations with counterparts from various countries,” al-Sharqi stressed.
Since the blockade was imposed in June 2017, al-Sharqi said the private sector witnessed a surge in the number of new companies, which reached to as much as 47,000.
Al-Sharqi also said the chamber “played a key role during siege” by seeking to remove all obstacles against the private sector by coordinating with different institutions since the beginning of the blockade.
“From the first day of the blockade, Qatar Chamber urged merchants and businessmen to immediately find alternative means to import goods, especially food stuffs. The chamber also co-ordinated with various government agencies concerned to form specialised committees with concerned governmental bodies to tackle all obstacles and ensure the flow of goods without any corruption or delay.
“It also launched several initiatives to support the local product and held two editions of the ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition in Oman and Kuwait to promote Qatari products, and help businessmen explore co-operation opportunities with counterparts from these countries,” al-Sharqi explained.
He said the chamber also hosted a many meetings between foreign trade delegations and Qatari businessmen to discuss mutual investment opportunities and the possibility of establishing commercial partnerships and alliances in light of the incentives, facilities, and benefits for investment proposed by Qatar and foreign governments.
“The State of Qatar succeeded in turning the negative impacts of the siege into economic gains, thanks to the insight and acumen of the Wise Leadership and the immediate measures taken by the esteemed government at the onset of the blockade, in addition to the role played by the private sector and concerted efforts of all bodies to overcome and beat this siege,” al-Sharqi added.