Qatar has witnessed a “massive breakthrough” in projects the government is implementing to develop the country’s infrastructure, as well as in construction related to preparations to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar Chamber’s top official said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the "Supporting Local Manufacturers Forum", Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said the mega projects require “a lot of materials and devices to complete, according to the required standards and metrology.”
“This breakthrough provides a great opportunity for factories and local companies to provide the required building materials used in the completion of these projects, which contributes to enhancing their competitiveness and the development of their products, according to the international standards and also reach global markets,” Sheikh Khalifa said in a speech.
He stressed the importance of empowering national industries and considering local products as “the best option” for governmental entities in implementing mega projects in the country and through public tenders that are offered.
He said national industries have the appropriate experience and advanced technology that enable them to participate effectively in major projects being implemented in the country. Sheikh Khalifa expressed “full confidence” that the Qatari private sector and local factories are able to address the needs of the projects implemented by Ashghal, “thus enhancing the true partnership between the public and private sectors.”
He said the aim of the virtual forum is to introduce the current and future projects of Ashghal, thus providing an opportunity to support Qatari manufacturers and local suppliers to increase their contribution to these projects. This would also encourage businesses to invest in the industry and establish new factories that meet the requirements of these projects.
“This confirms that Ashghal’s vision is fully-consistent with Qatar Chamber’s vision to rely on Qatari capabilities and products, increasing the participation of Qatari factories in the country’s development projects, and encouraging investments in the construction of new factories that contribute to the requirements of current and future projects,” Sheikh Khalifa said.
During the forum, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa said QDB’s strategy supports Qatari manufacturers and open local markets to them.
“QDB is keen to translate these plans through a series of various programmes and initiatives, such as the leasing complete and ready-to-operate industrial facilities ‘Jahiz 1’ and ‘Jahiz 2’ initiative to help them turn their ideas into tangible goods and products, as well as the ‘Business Localisation’ service to identify business opportunities and investments from government, semi-governmental and private entities, organising exhibitions and conferences that contribute to the communication with major buyers.
“We aspire to continue emphasising our strategy through these platforms that serve the country’s objectives of self-sufficiency and diversification of the economy in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030,” al-Khalifa said.
