H.E. Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al-Khater, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Dr. Saleh bin Said bin Salem Masen, Undersecretary for Trade and Industry of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 3rd edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, which took place in Doha from 23rd to 25th May.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations in the fields of trade, investment, and industry. Furthermore, Qatar’s experience in these fields has been highlighted during the meeting.

 

During the meeting, H.E. the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities to encourage investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with several Ministers, on the sidelines of the 3rd edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, which took place in Doha from 23rd to 25th May.

 

H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry held separate meetings with His Excellency Mr. Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mr. Levan Davitashvili, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainability of Georgia and His Excellency Mr. Moses Correa, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of the Republic of Kenya.

 

The meetings featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, and industry. In addition to exchanging perspectives on the various topics outlined in this edition’s agenda.

 

During the meetings, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities to encourage investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with H.E. Mr. Wamkele Mene, secretary general of the AfCFTA, within the framework of the 3^rd edition of Qatar Economic Forum, held in Doha between 23-25 May.

 

The meeting witnessed seeking ways to enhance and improve cooperation between Qatar and the African Continental Free Trade Area. In addition to exchange perspectives about topics listed on this edition’s agenda.

 

During the meeting, H.E Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted Qatar’s economic policies that proved successful in supporting the private sector, reviewing incentives, legislations, and opportunities available in the country that aim to encourage investors and businessmen to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with a number of ministers and senior officials who are visiting the country to participate in the 3^rd edition of Qatar Economic Forum, held in Doha between 23-25 May.

H.E Minister of Commerce and Industry held separate meetings with The Rt Hon. Ms Kemi Badenoch- UK’s Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade, and H.E. Mr. Marton Nagy- Hungary’s Minister of Economic Development.

The meetings witnessed seeking ways to enhance and improve mutual cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, and industry. In addition to exchange perspectives about topics listed on this edition’s agenda.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Commerce and Industry met with Mr. Liver Oehms, CEO of German Chamber of Commerce. They discussed bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Germany to establish trade and industrial projects within the private sector.

 

H.E highlighted Qatar’s economic policies that proved successful in supporting the private sector, reviewing incentives, legislations, and opportunities available in the country that aim to encourage investors and businessmen to invest in Qatar.

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with H.E. Eng. Khalid A. Al-Falih- Saudi’s Minister of Investment, who is visiting the country to participate in the 3^rd edition of Qatar Economic Forum, held in Doha between 23-25 May.

 

The meeting witnessed discussing topics of mutual interest, to enhance and improve bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, and industry. In addition to exchange perspectives about topics listed on this edition’s agenda.

 

H.E highlighted Qatar’s economic policies that proved successful in supporting the private sector, reviewing incentives, legislations, and opportunities available in the country that aim to encourage investors and businessmen to invest in Qatar.

 

 

His Excellency Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in the 14^th International Economic Forum, held during 18-19 May in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan. In this context, H.E. attended the forum’s official opening ceremony and participated in the opening session.

H.E. Mr. Al-Khater also participated in a panel discussion titled “International Trends of Foreign Direct Investments: The Role of Russia and Organization of Islamic Cooperation Member-States.”

His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stressed during his participation in the session that the State of Qatar is eager, within the framework of its economic openness, to consolidate its foreign relations and devote cooperation with its various trade partners, particularly the Federal Republic of Russia and the Republic of Tatarstan, noting the strength and durability of the historical and strategic partnership that binds between Qatar and these two countries.

H.E. commended the State of Qatar’s long-standing relations with the Republic of Tatarstan, stating that the state strives to create successful commercial and economic partnerships as an inherent aspect of Qatari-Russian relations.

He also emphasized the importance of working to strengthen communication and coordination bridges with partners in Tatarstan to diversify and increase partnership opportunities between the two countries’ business sectors, especially since Tatarstan is an important economic destination within the Russian Federation and has many investment opportunities and capabilities that Qatari companies can benefit from.

In the context of discussing the Qatari economy and the country’s investment environment, he stated that the State of Qatar has been able to maintain its balanced economic growth despite the various global changes it has witnessed over the last three years, referring to expectations that its GDP will grow by about 2.4% in the year 2023. This is in addition to several international organizations agreeing on the country’s excellent credit rating and stable economic outlook.

In this regard, H.E. Mr. Al-Khater invited investors from around the world to take advantage of the country’s stable economic environment, significant legislative and administrative incentives and advantages, and the diverse package of solutions provided by the country to investors looking to enter the country’s local markets and expand in the region, including advanced infrastructure, industrial and logistical areas, and free zones capable of meeting all of the needs of enterprises operating in the key sectors.

Finally, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry expressed his hope that this meeting would serve as a motivator and catalyst for renewing determination and continuing work to invest in available opportunities and broaden the horizons of a partnership between the State of Qatar, the Federal Republic of Russia, and the Republic of Tatarstan in various fields, in a way that supports development goals and common aspirations to achieve sustainable economic prosperity.

 

 

 

On the sidelines of the forum, H.E. Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater held individual meetings with several high government officials. In this context, H.E. met with H.E. Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser Al-Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Russian Federation, and several senior government officials of the Republic of Tatarstan. H.E. Mr. Al-Khater also met with H.E. Mr. Oleg Korobchenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan. The meeting was attended by Mr. Hermann Lerner, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan.

H.E. Mr. Al-Khater also met with Ms. Taliya Minullina, Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment, and industry.

During the meeting, H.E. the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry toured the Russia Halal Expo exhibition, which is being held as part of the forum’s activities. H.E. was briefed on the various pavilions, services, and products provided by the participating companies and institutions.

 

During the tour, H.E. Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater met with H.E. Mr. Rustam Muratov, Deputy First Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Investment Policy of the Republic of Bashkortostan and H.E. Ms. Margarita Bolytcheva, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Congress Activity of Bashkortostan. Officials discussed issues of common interest and prospects for cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Bashkortostan in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

The Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum aims to strengthen trade, economic, scientific, technical, educational, social, and cultural ties between the regions of the Russian Federation and the member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The forum witnessed the organization of many events and panel discussions that focused on several topics, including sectors of Islamic finance, halal industry, international cooperation, logistics, industry, sustainable development, environmental, social, and institutional governance, information technology, innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, SMEs, education, medicine, and sports.

During the forum, a session entitled “Russia – the Islamic World: Media Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Economic Prosperity” was organized for media representatives with the participation of heads of national news agencies of the OIC member States and the Russian Federation. During the session, a discussion took place on the role and opportunities of the media in the OIC countries and Russia in solving global sustainable development issues, in addition to shedding light on the prospects for information partnership.

 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry celebrated World Intellectual Property Day, themed “Women & IP: Boosting Innovation and Creativity”, in the framework of its commitment to reinforce the dialogue on the importance of intellectual property and enhance its role in developing a positive environment for innovation and creativity.

The celebration aims to highlight the government’s efforts in terms of intellectual property, and the initiatives launched to provide necessary mechanisms to protect female innovators whether inventors, authors, or producers of technical, artistic, or literary content. Besides that, it encourages female innovators for further creativity that fulfills Qatar’s National Vision (2030) that aims to make Qatar an advanced country able to achieve sustainable development and insure its people decent living.

Mrs. Amna Jabir Al Kuwari, head of Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department at MOCI emphasized in her opening speech on the importance of spreading awareness about intellectual property rights in Qatar, noting that the amount of participation in the event reflects how interested both trade and industry sectors are in raising awareness about IP rights in order to preserve the product of human mind and innovation led by the youth we are counting on to build a brighter future.

She stressed on the role of IP in empowering female innovators, pointing to decision makers’ interest in amending and updating IP legislations to match international practices.

Al Kuwari highlighted the national efforts to set a national intellectual property strategy in line with the national vision (2030) in terms of preparing national strategies and executive plans, noting to updating the institutional framework of the intellectual property department through the development of industrial models and drawings, and providing the department with young staff and train them to provide the best service to Qatari and foreign innovators and IP assets holders.

She explained that in line with Qatar’s approach towards improving services provided, IP department services digital transformation is under progress, to facilitate and maintain rights registration from any violation. She pointed that awareness programs and spreading intellectual property norms is an interest to many through implementing the largest number of programs and target audiences, whether school or college students, trade and industry sectors, and legal community.

Al Kuwari stated that allotment of Trade and Investment Court we witnessed recently according to law. (21) of 2021 to handle the disputes regarding patents, trademarks, industrial models, trade secrets, and

 

other IP rights, is proof of the government’s interest in IP rights and the importance of solving related disputes without delay.

She further pointed out that on international level, Qatar’s membership in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since 2011 is a window for local innovators towards 156 countries members in the treaty. In addition to access to a huge amount of technical information in multiple sectors, to achieve general benefit from international treaties: MOCI is in the process of joining more international treaties that helps innovators protect their assets of trademarks, and industrial models in most countries.

On the sidelines of the celebration, the accompanying exhibition was inaugurated, where the participants displayed their innovations in various fields.

The ceremony witnessed panel discussions that highlighted crucial topics, most notably women role in intellectual property emergence and encouraging investments, and intellectual property’s role in life aspects. As well as discussing intellectual property’s role in the national efforts to empower women to create a better future, the challenges, and opportunities to improve the use of intellectual property systems by women, and inventors’ role in diversifying the economy, in addition to a display of Qatari women success stories.

The female innovators and entrepreneurs participated in the accompanying exhibition, and panel discussions participants were honored.

It should be noted that World Intellectual Property Day was first celebrated in 2000, in aim of spreading the culture of intellectual property, and raise the peoples’ awareness and encourage them to innovate in the field of inventions: literary and artistic compilations and offer them information by experts to protect their innovations.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Irfan Ali, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, who is currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations in the fields of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with a delegation from the Middle East Institute (MEI) in the USA, who is currently visiting the country.

During the meeting, the officials discussed the close friendship and cooperation relations between Qatar and the U.S., as well as exchanged views on a variety of issues including the development of the commerce and industry sectors, the use of new technologies, eco-friendly fields, and trade relations between Qatar and various countries around the world.

 

H.E. Minister of Commerce and Industry showcased the economic policies and incentives adopted by Qatar to support the private sector, in addition to the legislations and promising opportunities that are available to foreign investors and businessmen in Qatar.

H.E. also emphasized that the country seeks to diversify its economy by gradually reducing its dependence on hydrocarbon sectors, moving towards a knowledge-based economy, and achieving sustainable growth. In light of its distinguished position as a regional center for technological innovation, the State of Qatar has been establishing special economic zones with attractive advantages and incentives for investors to attract foreign capital, particularly in the areas of technology, advanced industries, and logistics services.

The State of Qatar participated in the 64^th meeting of the GCC Commercial Cooperation Committee, the 50th meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs, which were attended by their Excellences the Ministers of Commerce and Industry of the GCC countries. The meetings took place on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Oman.

The meetings featured discussing a number of topics and issues listed on the agenda, in addition to taking the appropriate pertaining decisions.

During the ministerial meeting of the Commercial Cooperation Committee, the GCC Entrepreneurs’ Platform was inaugurated. It aims at supporting entrepreneurs, particularly small and medium-sized businesses owners, in GCC countries by introducing them to investment opportunities in the region, allowing them to grow their businesses and market their products and services, and facilitating communication between entrepreneurs as well as between investors, financiers, and clients in the GCC countries.

In addition, the consultative meeting was conducted between the Ministers of Commerce and Industry, and the heads of the Chambers of Commerce in GCC member states.

At the consultative meeting, topics and recommendations addressed by the heads of the GCC Chambers of Commerce were reviewed, and suitable decisions were made.

H.E. Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in the 56th preparatory meeting of the Committee of Undersecretaries of the GCC Ministries of Commerce, and the 42nd meeting of the Committee of Undersecretaries of the GCC Ministries of Industry. The meetings were held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

Their Excellencies the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Commerce and Industry discussed several topics of common interest listed on their agenda, and made recommendations based thereon to their Excellencies the Ministers of Commerce and Industry in the GCC States for them to adopt in their upcoming meetings, and take the appropriate relevant measures.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has praised the commitment of car dealers to its circular, which ensures that dealers fulfill their obligations towards consumers when purchasing or reserving vehicles. As a result, 4000 new vehicles were delivered to their owners.”

This result was achieved through the Ministry’s inspectors conducting intensive periodic campaigns on car agencies, aimed at ensuring their compliance with Circular No. (1) of 2023, which specifies the obligations of car providers and dealerships towards consumers when buying or reserving vehicles.

The Department of Consumer Protection and Combating Commercial Fraud has issued circular (1) of 2023, through the “Delivery Date Form” which includes mandatory data according to the law.

The Ministry referred to Law No. (8) of 2008, regarding the protection of consumers, and the following amendments which clarified the obligations of the providers in line with the protection of consumers’ rights, and also Article (8) related to the rights of consumers to obtain additional information as per the executive regulations of this law, which stipulated in Article (4) stating the nature of data that should be available in the document issued by the providers.

Additionally, the Ministry gave car dealers residing in the State of Qatar a week notice from the date of learning of this decision, to implement the changes and inform the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department about it.

The Ministry affirmed that after the expiry of the deadline, it shall intensify its inspections to monitor the adherence of car dealers to the new regulations, and it will deal with any violation of the obligations stipulated in Law No. (8) of 2008 and its implementing regulations related to consumer protection.

The Ministry encourages all citizens and residents to report violations through the following channels:

– Call Centre: 16001

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry social media sites:

• Twitter: @MOCIQATAR
• Instagram: MOCIQATAR

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with His Excellency Mr. Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who is currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations in the fields of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with H.E. Ms. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment, and industry.

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

The State of Qatar participated in the 2023 SelectUSA Investment Summit, which was held from May 1-4 in Washington DC.

The Summit was attended by His Excellency Saleh Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Qatar’s participation in SELECTUSA Investment Summit aligns with its keenness to strengthen bilateral ties with the U S. and discuss investment opportunities in both countries.

On the sidelines of the Summit, H.E. Mr. Al-Khulaifi participated in a roundtable organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event was attended by H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority, H.E. Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad Al Thani, the Qatar Managing Director for Qatar- US Business Council, and representatives from Qatar’s public and private entities including the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Barzan Holdings, and major U.S. companies such as Boeing, Motorola, Amazon, and Citibank.

During his participation, H.E. the Assistant Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development Affairs highlighted Qatar’s vast investment opportunities across various sectors, including post-World Cup developments. He also emphasized the key laws and regulations governing investment, including the Law regulating non-Qatari capital in economic activity and the Law regulating public-private partnerships, as well as the incentives and benefits available to foreign investors.

On the sidelines of the Summit, H.E. Mr. Al-Khulaifi participated as a guest of honor in the reception organized by the U.S.-Qatar Business Council which attracted senior officials and businessmen from both the U.S. and Qatar.

Additionally, H.E. Mr. Al-Khulaifi held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the Summit. H.E. met with Mr. Mark Murray, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, Mr. Arun Venkatraman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Global Markets, and Mr. Dale Tasharski, Deputy Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service.

During the meetings, officials previewed topics of common interest to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the trade, investment, and industry sectors. They also discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations in light of the distinguished ties of friendship and common strategic interests that bind the two nations, underscoring the mutual commitment to advancing the partnership.

H.E. Mr. Al-Khulaifi highlighted the State of Qatar’s successful policies to support the private sector, showcasing the various incentives, regulations, and promising opportunities available to encourage investment and entrepreneurship in the country.

SELECTUSA Investment Summit is considered to be the most prominent event dedicated to attracting FDI to the U.S. It particularly attracts senior officials, chief executive officers, and thought leaders. Each edition focuses on a particular theme related to the investment ecosystem in the U.S., the latest trends in the industry, and new opportunities.

This year’s edition is witnessing the organization of more than 100 different sessions, including discussion panels with prominent U.S. officials and company executives, in addition to specialized sessions focusing on various industries such as investment, international supply chains, advanced manufacturing, car manufacturing, aeronautics, clean energy, and other fields.

Qatar and the U.S. have a strong economic partnership, with bilateral trade reaching $6.68 billion in 2022. The U.S. is Qatar’s 9th largest trading partner.

His Excellency Sultan Bin Rashid Al-Khater, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in the second edition of Tashkent International Investment Forum, held during 27-28 April in the city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The forum also witnessed the participation of senior officials from Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Financial Centre, Investment Promotion Agency and senior Uzbek figures from the public and private sector.

On the margins of the forum, a bilateral meeting was held between HE Dr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and HE Sultan Bin Rashid Al-Khater, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and later with HE Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The meetings discussed issues of common interests, to strengthen bilateral ties in the fields of trade, investment and industry, in addition to exchanging views about the Forum’s topics.

HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies adopted by the State of Qatar to support the private sector, illustrating the incentives, regulations and promising opportunities available in the country which serve to encourage investors and businessmen to invest in Qatar.

It’s to be noted that the Tashkent International Investment Forum serves to showcase the investment potential of the Republic of Uzbekistan to foreign investors, and hence attract investors and major financial and economic institutions to the country.

The 2^nd edition of the forum witnessed the organization of several sessions and roundtables which concentrated on various subjects like environmental and social practices, corporate governance, the role of women in developing small and medium sized enterprises, the private sector role in developing infrastructure projects, tourism, retail industry –opportunities, challenges and E-trade- and the prospects in the field of digitizing small and medium sized enterprises, in addition to some other topics.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued 30 fines against a number of car agencies in Qatar, and referred them to the competent authorities to take legal actions, for failing to commit to providing spare parts for consumers’ vehicles within the specified time period, which is a violation of Article (16) of Law No. (8) Of 2008 on Consumer Protection.

 

This procedure is the result of regular and intensive inspections implemented by the Ministry’s inspectors to check car agencies’ compliance with their commitment to providing spare parts for consumers’ vehicles, in response to complaints monitored by the Ministry through its various communication channels, which stated that a number of car agencies failed to comply with providing spare parts within the agreed-upon time period.

The Ministry affirmed that it will deal firmly with any non-compliance with the obligations stipulated in Law No. (8) Of 2008 and its implementing regulations concerning the protection of consumers’ rights.

Moreover, the Ministry is intensifying its inspection campaigns to identify violators and refer them to the competent authority to take the necessary actions against them.

The Ministry encourages all citizens and residents to report any violations via the following channels:

– Call Center: 16001

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry social media sites:

Twitter: @MOCIQATAR

Instagram: MOCIQATAR

The State of Qatar participated in the official opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe International Industrial Fair 2023, which was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor, and His Excellency Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, the guest country for this year’s edition, held in Hannover, Germany, from 17-21 April 2023.

His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, represented the State of Qatar at the event and inaugurated Qatar’s pavilion at the exhibition.

Organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and spanning an area of about 406 square metres, Qatar’s pavilion features a number of  government and private sector agencies specialized bodies in the industrial field, including: the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Investment Promotion Agency Qatar, Qatar Free Zones Authority, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Qatar Financial center and Qatar Chamber. In addition to a number of private companies such as Doha Cables Company and Azm Projects Development Company (plastic and glass), Ibtechar Company 3,2,1 (3D printing in educational and industrial projects), Al-Shabib Battery Factory, and Dallah Holding.

 

The State’s pavilion also sheds light on the leading Qatari industries and the latest technologies and technological developments in the industrial sector in the country. The Hannover International Industrial Fair comprises a significant opportunity to exchange expertise and experiences, introduce Qatari companies and industries, and blaze a trail for creating distinctive partnerships between Qatari and international companies, enhancing cooperation between them, in addition to introducing the most prominent global experiences, and significant technical development in the industrial sector.

 

During its participation in the Industrial Fair, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry presents the characteristics of Qatar’s investment environment. As well as, the laws and legislation passed to stimulate local and foreign investment, including the law regulating the investment of non-Qatari capital in economic activity, and the law regulating public-private partnership. Additionally, reviewing the incentives and advantages that have been provided to investors, such as exempting foreign invested capital from income tax for up to ten years for specific investment projects in many sector; and providing exemption from customs taxes and fees when importing equipment and raw materials. The Ministry also introduces the services provided to investors to facilitate procedures pertaining to investment applications, establishing companies, and completing transactions.

 

The Ministry also shines a spotlight on the investment opportunities available in the industrial sector, as well as the goals it seeks to achieve by 2030, and growth projections of the manufacturing sector.

Participating entities within Qatar’s pavilion 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.

Furthermore, the participating entities organize a number of specialized workshops and presentations with the goal of introducing the most prominent distinguished projects and initiatives, as well as the state’s incentives, facilities and investment opportunities to attract more foreign direct investment, particularly in the industrial sector.

During the workshops and presentations, knowledge, expertise and experiences are exchanged, as well as the most pressing issues concerning the industry sector.

 

The program of the event includes a number of dialogue sessions that highlight a wide range of topics such as industrial automation, cloud technologies, digital infrastructure, data management, digital platforms, robotics, information security technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energies, green hydrogen, as well as efficient energy use, CO2-neutral production, digital energy management, and the economy alongside other important areas.

The State of Qatar is participating in the Hannover Messe International Industrial Fair 2023, taking place from 17-21 April 2023, in the German city of Hanover. The largest industrial forum on the global scene, Hannover Fair attracts the largest production companies in the world, and is the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology.

 

A number of government and private sector agencies are participating in the Qatar pavilion, including: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, The Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar, Qatar Free Zones Authority, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Chamber, as well as a number of private companies such as Doha Cables Company and Azm Projects Development Company (plastic and glass), Ibtechar Company (3D printing in educational and industrial projects), Al-Shabib Battery Factory, and Dallah Holding.

 

The entities participating in the State of Qatar pavilion shall preview the most prominent Qatari initiatives, projects, services, and products, as well as the promising investment opportunities, incentives, and privileges available to investors and businessmen to invest in the various sectors in Qatar.

 

The Industrial Fair also sheds light on the leading Qatari industries and the latest technologies and technological developments in the industrial sector in the country. The Hannover International Industrial Fair comprises a significant opportunity to exchange expertise and experiences, introduce Qatari companies and industries, and blaze a trail for creating distinctive partnerships between Qatari companies and international companies, enhancing cooperation between them, as well as learning of the most prominent global experiences, and significant technical development in the industrial sector.

 

During their participation, Qatari entities will also present the characteristics of Qatar’s investment environment, as well as the laws and legislation passed to stimulate local and foreign investment, including the law regulating the investment of non-Qatari capital in economic activity, and the law regulating public-private partnership, in addition to previewing the incentives and advantages that have been provided to investors, such as exempting foreign invested capital from income tax for up to ten years for specific investment projects in many sectors; and providing exemption from custom taxes and fees when importing equipment and raw materials. The participants will also introduce the services provided to investors to facilitate procedures pertaining to investment applications, establishing companies, and completing transactions.

 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued 36 fines for one of the biggest car dealerships in the country and referred it to the competent authorities to take legal action, for non-compliance with the contracts signed with consumers in delivering cars, which is a violation of Article (11) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection.

This procedure is the result of regular and intensive inspections implemented by the Ministry’s inspectors to check car dealerships’ compliance with the contracts concluded to protect consumers’ rights, following complaints monitored by the Ministry on its various communication channels, which stated that some car dealerships failed to adhere to the contracts concluded and that the delivery of the purchased or reserved new cars was delayed, although they were paid for.

The Ministry affirmed that it will deal firmly with any non-compliance with the obligations stipulated in Law No. (8) of 2008 and its implementing regulations concerning the protection of consumers’ rights.

Moreover, the Ministry is intensifying its inspection campaigns to identify violators and refer them to the competent authority to take the necessary actions against them.

The Ministry emphasizes the necessity for consumers to carefully examine the contracts concluded, particularly in terms of clarity and accuracy, and that they include all the necessary details regarding the purchased good or service. The contract should be dated and stamped by the company, while clearly specifying the rights and obligations of both parties, in addition to ensuring that it complies with Law No. (8) of 2008.

The Ministry encourages all citizens and residents to report any violations via the following channels:

– Call Center: 16001

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry social media sites:

Twitter: @MOCIQATAR

Instagram: MOCIQATAR

The Consumer Protection and Combating Commercial Fraud Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued Circular No. (1) of 2023 to specify the obligations of car providers to consumers when buying or reserving cars by preparing a form for a “delivery date document” that includes mandatory data in accordance with the provisions of the law. This circular comes in line with the Ministry’s keenness to protect consumers’ rights when buying or reserving new or used cars.

The Ministry referred to Law No. (8) of 2008, regarding the protection of consumers, and the following amendments which clarified the obligations of the providers in line with the protection of consumers’ rights, and also Article (8) related to the rights of consumers to obtain additional information as per the executive regulations of this law, which stipulated in Article (4) the nature of data that should be available in the document issued by the providers, and therefore the following has been decided:

First: the preparation of a form to reserve a vehicle, which includes the following:

• Name and address of the provider, and the date of the invoice
• Type of vehicle or service, plus a basic description
• Sale unit
• Number of units sold
• Unit condition (if used)
• Price of the good or service in Qatari Riyal
• Delivery date
• Signature/seal of the provider or his/her legal representative
• Serial number of the good and its components

The form is filled once the provider is certain about the availability of the vehicle requested by the consumer, and once the date of delivery and payment are specified.

Second: Providing the customer with a copy of the “delivery date form”:

Third: All car dealers concerned with this circular shall regularly provide the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department with a monthly statement of car reservations and make it readily available.

Additionally, the Ministry has decided to give car dealers residing in the State of Qatar a week notice to implement the changes and inform the Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department about it.

The Ministry affirms that after the expiry of the deadline, it shall intensify its inspections to monitor the adherence of car dealers to the new regulations, and it will deal with any violation of the obligations stipulated in Law No. (8) of 2008 and its implementing regulations related to consumer protection.

The Ministry encourages all citizens and residents to report any violations via the following channels:

– Call Center: 16001

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry social media sites:

Twitter: @MOCIQATAR

Instagram: MOCIQATAR

The State of Qatar participated in the activities of the “Arab Consumer Protection Week” forum, which was held in Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman, during 8-14 March 2023 under the title of “Small Consumer and Sustainable Consumption”.

Qatar was represented in the forum by Mr. Mohammed Abdul Karim Al Emadi, Director of the Consumer Protection and Combating Commercial Fraud Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Forum was also attended by several ministers, undersecretaries, and consumer protection representatives from different Arab countries.

The forum consisted of panels that discussed themes related to small consumers, and showcased the experiences of the Sultanate of Oman and other Arab countries in consumer protection, in addition to the planning and organization of awareness programs.

The forum aimed to shed light on the nature of the legislation on consumer protection, the role of legal systems and legislation in protecting consumers, especially regarding traditional and electronic fraud, the role of the media and its effects in raising awareness about the issues of the small consumer in the Arab world, and ways to benefit from the local and international experiences in the field of developing the services of government consumer protection agencies.

The forum also shed light on the policies adopted by the Sultanate of Oman to achieve sustainable consumption, in addition to proposing practical recommendations to raise awareness about the importance of the small consumer category and enhance related legislation.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, participated in the activities of the World Government Summit 2023, which was organized by the United Arab Emirates under the theme“Foreseeing Future Governments“ from 13-15February, 2023 in Dubai.

The Summit brought together a distinguished group of state leaders, heads of government, ministers, senior officials, decision makers, thought leaders, and specialists in commercial, industrial, investment, and economic affairs from around the globe.

During the Summit, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry attended a number of the Summit’s main sessions, including  high-level and specialized dialogue sessions titled “10 Years of Transformation”, “The State of the World”, and “The Role of Climate Finance in Building a Sustainable Future”.

Additionally, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with H.E. Najla Bouden Romdhane, Tunisian Prime Minister, and the accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, officials touched on the bilateral relations between Qatar and Tunisia and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in various fields such as trade, investment, and different industries, in addition to exchanging views on the Summit’s agenda topics.

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry met with several ministers and senior officials on the sidelines of the 5^th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries, which took place in Doha during 5-9 March 2023.

H.E. Minister of Commerce and Industry met, separately, with H.E. Mr. Faisal Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Mr. Daniyar Amangeldiev, Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Mr. Kairat Umarov, Special Envoy of H.E. the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Moses Kiarie Kuria, Minister of Trade, Investment, and Industry of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Malmierca, Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of the Republic of Cuba, and H.E. Mr. Zavqi Zavqizoda, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan

The meetings discussed ways to strengthen and develop cooperation, especially in the fields of trade, investment, and industry.

H.E. Minister of Commerce and Industry showcased the economic policies and incentives adopted by Qatar to support the private sector, in addition to the legislations and promising opportunities that are available to foreign investors and businessmen in Qatar.

Additionally, H.E. Minister of Commerce and Industry met, separately, with H.E. Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization “WIPO”, H.E. Dr. Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization “UNIDO”, and Dr. Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President and Global Innovation Officer for Cisco Systems.

During the meetings, H.E. expressed Qatar’s recognition for the support provided by “WIPO” in developing the policies and strategies related to intellectual property, especially the National Strategy for Intellectual Property, and how to benefit from the MOUs signed so far.

H.E. Minister of Commerce and Industry also emphasized the role played by “UNIDO” in facilitating industrial development in developing countries and stressed Qatar’s keenness to support the organization in facing global challenges.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, The Minister of Commerce and Industry, participated in the Closing Ceremony of the Private Sector Forum, held during 5-7 March 2023, on the margins of the 5^th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which is being organized in Doha during 5-9 March 2023.

The Closing Ceremony, which was jointly organized by the Office of the High Representative of the United Nations for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Microsoft, and Qatar Chamber, witnessed the participation of HE Mrs. Rabab Fatima, High Representative of the United Nations for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, Mr. Chris Sharrock, Vice President, UN Affairs and International Organizations, Microsoft, and several Chief Executive Officers, business representatives and heads of international organizations.

During his speech, H.E. Minister of Commerce and Industry stressed the importance of the Conference as it represents an opportunity that is available once every ten years, to regenerate hope and hasten the pace of sustainable development in the regions that need international help the most.

He added that this conference represents an opportunity to start an effective and constructive dialogue between the country leaders and governments of the least developed countries, the representatives of the private sector and civil society, to come up with creative ideas and transform pledges into tangible results.

He also mentioned that the Private Sector Forum serves as an effective platform to present concrete and practical proposals to develop this sector in the least developed countries, in addition to facing the current challenges and concluding innovative commercial partnerships with these states that are home to more than a billion people.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry pointed out the broad and high-level participation in this Forum, which reflects the importance of enhancing the role of the private sector in the least developed countries, by supporting this sector, building stronger partnerships with it, and promoting its growth will have positive effects on investment, trade and job creation, in addition to enhancing innovation and serving as an engine to stimulate economic growth in the least developed nations.

H.E. the Minister added that believing in this role, the Doha Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries attaches special importance to supporting the private sector by requesting pledges to support the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, steamline the supply chains, ease access to markets, in addition to adopting transparent and open frameworks for business and investment and maintaining intellectual property rights, in line with the international standards. Moreover, this program is taking strategic steps to fill in the digital gaps, by providing financial support for the least developed countries and facilitating the access of the private sector and small companies in these nations to the appropriate digital tools and platforms, to strengthen their links with the international markets.

The Minister also pointed out that amidst the current global challenges, especially the conflicts and the climatic change that affect the least developed countries the most, including food security, poverty, and inequality, in addition to debts that hinder their development efforts, it’s our collective duty to accelerate our response and meet their urgent development needs.

He added that out of Qatar’s firm commitment to international cooperation and joint action to supporting the needs of comprehensive development in the least developed nations, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, has directed to provide a total of $60 million, including $10 million to help implement the activities of the Doha Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries, and $50 million to support the desired outcomes of the program and enhance the resilience of the involved countries.

H.E. mentioned that this important initiative reflects the firm belief of the State of Qatar’s leadership that international humanitarian solidarity is the only way to build a new world, one that is safer, fairer, and stable for current and future generations.

His Excellency concluded by hoping that the outcomes and recommendations of the Private Sector Forum will be implemented, through the launch of innovative initiatives, to advance the Least Developed Countries’ efforts to build a better future for their people.

The Private Sector Forum aims to increase cooperation between the Least Developed Countries and the private sector and to stimulate innovation to achieve the development goals of these countries. The Forum also addressed various ways to enhance the private sector’s investment in 5 priority fields: Sustainable Energy, Agriculture and Rural Development, Communications, Climate Change, and Sustainable Tourism.

His Excellency Mr. Saleh bin Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in the annual reception organized by the German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Berlin.

 

This participation reflects Qatar’s determination to strengthen its strategic ties with the Federal Republic of Germany, and support the joint efforts to develop cooperation between the business sectors in both countries.

 

In his speech, H.E. Mr. Al-Khulaifi praised the close ties between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Germany. He also noted the successful participation of Qatar in the Hannover International Industrial Fair in 2022 as an important step in the context of the long-standing Qatari-German partnership, pointing out that bilateral trade has reached $1.8 billion in 2022.

 

Regarding investment, H.E. stated that 323 German companies operate in Qatar, playing an important role in supporting the country’s development journey. Germany represents one of the main destinations for Qatari investments abroad, amounting to $9.9 billion.

 

Concerning the economic policies adopted by Qatar, H.E. Mr. Al-Khulaifi expressed that the government has strived to diversify the economy by directing the efforts of the private sector toward investment in non-hydrocarbon sectors, such as renewable energy, technology, small and medium-sized enterprises, and infrastructure, in addition to attracting FDI and localizing industries in fields that can help Qatar in its pursuit of self-sufficiency.

 

He also added that these efforts reflected positively on the growth rates of the economy, as attested by the World Bank, which has stated that the Qatari economy grew by 4% in 2022.

 

H.E. the Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs concluded by expressing his aspiration to explore innovative ways to preserve achievements and face current and future challenges by encouraging joint work between the public and private sectors in both nations.

 

For his part, Mr. Marcus Werger, CEO of the German Association of Small and Medium-sized Businesses, said: “We are pleased that the State of Qatar is participating for the first time in the “Future Day for Small and Medium Enterprises” with 5 participants. We are particularly pleased to welcome the Qatari delegation from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Qatar Investment Authority, and the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar (IPA Qatar). We believe that this event will provide a very good networking opportunity for small and medium-sized companies from Qatar and Germany”.

 

“It is our great pleasure to open our GCC office based in Doha.” He added.

 

The State of Qatar has been elected to chair the Technical Committee for Intellectual Property at the Arab League, for a period of two years. This came during the 10th meeting of the Committee, which was held at the headquarters of the League of Arab States’ General Secretariat in Cairo, on 15-16 of February.

 

The Technical Committee for Intellectual Property is concerned with setting rules for cooperation between Arab countries in the field of intellectual property rights protection. With the Committee’s central role being the enhancement of Arab awareness regarding intellectual property issues, all while encouraging innovation.

 

The Committee members unanimously elected Mrs. Amna Jaber Al-Kuwari, Director of the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as Chairman of the Technical Committee for a period of two years.

 

The election of the State of Qatar to chair the Technical Committee reflects the tremendous interest that the State attaches to intellectual property issues. The Committee members have entrusted the State of Qatar with this position in recognition of the progress it has made in this strategic field.

 

During the meeting, the Committee reviewed the recommendations of its 9th meeting in February, as well as the implementation of the recommendations of the sub-committees on industrial property and copyright and related rights.

 

The Committee also agreed in establishing a regional network of technology and innovation support centres, all while discussing mechanisms to implement statistics and specific indicators of the reality of industrial property in Arab countries.

 

His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, led the Economic and Commercial Cooperation Session organized on the sidelines of the fifth U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, held in Doha.

The session witnessed the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar Investment Authority, the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar, and the U.S.-Qatar Business Council.

In his speech, H.E. Mr. Al-Khater praised the strong economic ties between Qatar and the U.S., which have contributed to the advancements made in both countries despite global challenges.

His Excellency also affirmed that Qatar strives to diversify its economy, and gradually lessen its dependence on the hydrocarbon sector, to build a knowledge-based economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

His Excellency mentioned the many reforms introduced to create an attractive business environment for foreign companies working in Qatar including legislation to regulate the investment of non-Qatari capital in economic activity, which allows up to 100% foreign ownership across various sectors. He also cited the launch of the Single Window System and the establishment of an Investment Promotion Agency to streamline procedures for investors and provide them with the necessary support.

H.E. Mr. Al-Khater pointed to World Bank projections that the Qatari economy will grow by 3.4% this year, while its strength has similarly been acknowledged by international rating agencies, indicating a positive outlook for foreign investment. He also mentioned that 90% of Qatar’s GDP currently comes from international trade across all sectors, yet the country continues to reform and improve its trade policies and adopt new ones to enhance its free trade system and economic openness concept.

Highlighting the economic role of Qatari women, H.E. Mr. Al-Khater stressed the fact that many of the country’s economic achievements would not have been possible without their contributions. He stated that Qatar is proud to have the highest female economic participation rate in the Arab world today, with many Qatari women occupying leading roles in both the private and public sectors.

He concluded by stressing Qatar’s determination to build its manufacturing, and research and development capabilities, in addition to a clean and renewable energy sector. He advises U.S. companies to benefit from current projects and the financial and legal incentives provided by the different government programs across these sectors.

H.E. Mr. Al-Khater expressed his hope of strengthening cooperation with stakeholders in the U.S. to adopt the best international practices related to investment promotion and direct it to priority sectors.

The Economic and Commercial Cooperation Session included several panel discussions. The panel focused on Qatari investment in the U.S., the available investment opportunities in Qatar, the strengthening of economic and commercial ties between the two countries, and the economic participation of women.

H.E. the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry also participated in the Private Sector Event organized by The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the U.S.-Qatar Business Council, Qatar Chamber, and U.S. Chamber, on the sidelines of the Strategic Dialogue.

During his participation, H.E. Mr. Al-Khater emphasized that U.S.-Qatari economic ties grew substantially since the conclusion of the TIFA agreement in 2004, and bilateral trade has reached $9.46 billion in 2022, making Qatar the ninth largest U.S. trade partner.

He pointed out that Qatari investments in the U.S. are worth $69 billion, while U.S. companies contribute significantly to Qatar’s development, noting that more than 856 U.S. companies currently operate in Qatar.

He emphasized that the Strategic Dialogue is an opportunity for both countries to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss the mechanisms of cooperation, despite the current global headwinds.

Lastly, H.E. commended the participation of the representatives in the session from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Development Bank and Qatar Chamber, and Qatari Businessmen Association.

 

Mohammed Barakat, Managing Director and Treasurer of the Board of Directors also stated : “The US and Qatar already share robust trade and investment that continues to strengthen year to year. Through additional discussions like this private sector event today, the commercial relationship between the two countries will continue to expand and reach new heights.”

 

“The close strategic relationship between the U.S. and Qatar is on display this week as officials from both governments meet for the fifth annual U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce commends the U.S. and Qatari governments for continuing the dialogue for a fifth year and using this platform to ensure consistent and sustained engagement,” Liz Clark, Senior Manager for Middle East Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said. “We were pleased to host a discussion with private sector and government representatives on the sidelines of the dialogue to discuss the fundamental priorities of trade and investment, continuing to advance an important avenue for business leaders to discuss ways to grow economic ties and help inform the economic discussions.”

 

“Today’s private sector panel continues to show the importance of private and public sector collaboration. The American business community is a key stakeholder in the shared US-Qatar economic success. We at AmCham Qatar are proud to represent US industry and innovation in Qatar, and we commend and congratulate the US and Qatari governments on a successful 5th strategic dialogue.” Todd Creeger, Chairman of AmCham Qatar.

H.E. Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in a virtual round table meeting that brought together trade Ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) along with H.E. Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

 

The meeting falls within the framework of discussions and preparations for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, which is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates during the first quarter of 2024. The meeting touched on the active role that GCC members can play to ensure the success of the conference and efforts to deliver on its objectives.

 

In his opening remarks, H.E. voiced hope that the meeting would lay the foundations for cooperation and integration between GCC nations and the WTO. Pointing out both the challenges and obstacles that hinder international trade and to find effective solutions through creative initiatives that cater to the economic aspirations of participating countries.

 

H.E. also welcomed the positive outcomes of the 12th Ministerial Conference particularly when it comes to fisheries subsidies, trade, health, and food security. He noted that these positive developments emphasize the WTO’s role as the cornerstone of the global trading system.

 

Qatar stands in full support of efforts aimed at activating the WTO agreement. The fisheries subsidies are in line with the first goal specified in the SDGs in terms of supporting the fisheries sector as an important source of food security in the GCC region, said H.E. Mr. Al Khater. He also stressed the need to provide developing countries with this opportunity to grow and flourish in this sector to further support their economies.

 

The round table meeting touched on three main issues including the WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies, the contribution of GCC countries to the agreement’s support fund, and the aspirations of member states with regards to the 13th Ministerial Conference.

 

In his closing remarks, H.E. was optimistic that the upcoming Ministerial Conference will result in concrete outcomes on the issues that were discussed, such as e-commerce, investment facilitation and other areas of interest to the WTO.

 

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, participated in the activities of the World Government Summit 2023, which was organized by the United Arab Emirates under the theme“Foreseeing Future Governments” from 13-15February 2023 in Dubai.

The Summit brought together a distinguished group of state leaders, heads of government, ministers, senior officials, decision makers, thought leaders, and specialists in commercial, industrial, investment, and economic affairs from around the globe.

During the Summit, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry, attended a number of the Summit’s main sessions, including high-level and specialized dialogue sessions. Additionally, H.E. met with H.E. Najla Bouden Romdhane, Tunisian Prime Minister, and the accompanying delegation. During the meeting, officials touched on the bilateral relations between Qatar and Tunisia and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in various fields such as trade, investment, and different industries, all while exchanging views on the Summit’s agenda topics.

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, led by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, organized several sports and entertainment events and activities on the occasion of Qatar National Sport Day, in cooperation with the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association, at Lusail Shooting Complex.

H.E. the Minister expressed his delight to be participating in this significant national event, noting that it reflects Qatar’s leading position, bothregionally and globally, as a destination for sports events, as evidenced by Qatar’s hosting of international sports tournaments during the past years, and its success in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

H.E. moreover stated that dedicating a national day to sports reflects the wise leadership’s belief in the role sports hold to build a healthy society. Such a society can actively contribute to the achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030 with its focus on human capability as the focus and goal of comprehensive development, H.E. added.

The activities organised by the Ministry included sports competitions in football, volleyball, archeryand physical fitness exercises, supervised byspecialised coaches. The Ministry also organized several competitions for children, including games such as climbing, bouncing, and hurdle races.

The Ministry staff also attended a number of Qatar Open Shotgun Championship competitions, organized by the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association.

The Ministry staff expressed their happiness inparticipating in the activities of the day, sharing that the competitions and sporting events contributed to a sense of unity and teamwork.  

The event reflected the Ministry’s keenness to enhance awareness of the importance of sport and its prominent role in the development of society, supporting the country’s goal of developing human capacity in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with His Excellency Philip Ozouf, Minister for External Relations and Financial Services of the Government of Jersey, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with H.E. Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Finland, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment and industry.

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

 

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of the Arab Republic of Egypt, who is currently visiting the country.

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment and industry.

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry showcased the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

The second round of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Morocco took place during the period January 22 to 23, 2023, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Doha.

The State of Qatar’s representatives at the negotiations were headed by Mr Saleh Abdullah Al-Mana, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Trade Agreements at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, while the Moroccan delegation was headed by Mr Abdelouahed Rahal, Director General of Trade at the Kingdom of Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The second round of negotiations build on the first round of negotiations, organized in the Moroccan capital, Rabat. The convening parties discussed ways to consolidate their comprehensive economic partnership and enhance trade and investment relations between the two countries, in order to serve their common interests.

The Free Trade Agreement comprises a means that supports inter-trade. Additionally, it contributes to increasing the volume of investments, increasing exports of both sides, organizing competition, facilitating the free flow of goods and services, and settling trade transactions.

 

His Excellency Mr Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in the Ministerial Roundtable, convening ministers concerned with the mineral resources sector, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM), within the framework of the second edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), themed “creating responsible and resilient minerals and metals supply and value chains in Africa, Western and Central Asia”, taking place on January 10-12, in Riyadh.

The Roundtable featured the participation of a number of ministers, representatives of government delegations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and multilateral agencies involved in the mining sector at the regional and international levels.

The Roundtable entailed four dialogue sessions to highlight the role of governments in developing vital supply chains for minerals, means to enhance cooperation between countries to accelerate establishing a green metals industry, as well as ways to enhance global cooperation to establish Centres of Excellence, in aims at supporting development capabilities in the region, and looking into joint cooperation opportunities to maximize mineral utilization, with a focus on the role of mining in economic development. This comes alongside showcasing successful models in this regard in States across the region.

His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry moreover took part in the activities of FMF’s second day, January 11, 2023, which included dialogue sessions. Activities also featured organizing an accompanying exhibition displaying the latest current and future mining technologies, as well as highlighting investment opportunities available in the regions of Africa, West and Central Asia.

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, honoured the committees and working groups who took part in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, during a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in the presence of a number of Senior Ministry officials, as well as itsrepresentatives in the committees that took part in hosting the tournament, including members of the Emergency Committee to ensure the import and flow of foodstuffs and supplies, the Logistics Support Task Force, the Field Monitoring Task Force, and the Food Security Operations Room Task Force, in addition to representatives of the concerned authorities.

The honouring ceremony seeks to stress the committee and work team members’ active role incontributing to hosting the tournament. It also comes in recognition of their efforts that contributed to supporting the Nation’s efforts to ensure the success of this world championship at all levels.

During his speech on this occasion, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry stressed the importance of the event, as it comprised a key occasion to celebrate the national efforts that made the 12-year journey leading up to hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 a success. Under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al–Thani, the State of Qatar proved that success is not granted, H.E.stated, pointing to how effort, willpower, and determination make miracles.

H.E. expressed thanks to the members of the committees and work teams from the various concerned authorities for their unlimited efforts and giving during the tournament–a feat that contributed to building a civilized legacy, which will ever be cherished in nations’ memories, and also ever remain a source of inspiration and pride for this generation and those to come.

The honouring ceremony included a presentation that shed light on the role of the Ministry’s committees and work teams during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as well as their most prominent contributions to the success of this major global event.

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of the Arab Republic of Egypt, who is currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with His Excellency Lord Dominic Johnson, British Minister of State for Investment, who is currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Dr Ian Borg, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Malta, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed the availability of food and consumer goods in the local markets, noting the stability of their prices, and their ability to accommodate to all consumer needs during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The Ministry was keen to support the axes and priorities of its action programs aimed at ensuring the highest levels of food security and readiness to provide the needed food and consumer commodities, in terms of type and quantity.

In this regard, the Ministry referred to its efforts to achieve the defined goals to enhance the country’s food security throughout the World Cup tournament. The goals are as follows:

(1) Ensuring the availability of sufficient stocks of basic food and consumer strategic commodities during the period of hosting the World Cup.

(2) Maintaining stable prices of basic goods and services.

(3) Addressing emergencies that may arise during the World Cup tournament using risk management.

(4) Ensuring the availability of goods in the vicinity of guests of the global event, by establishing mobile sales outlets in the places of residence and dwelling of World Cup guests.

In this regard, the Ministry’s efforts to enhance public-private partnership has contributed to supporting supply in central markets and various sales outlets across Qatar, in addition to enhancing the strategic stock of basic and consumer goods, despite the fluctuations in the global supply chains.

In this context, the Ministry praised the level of cooperation and coordination with a number of strategic companies, at the forefront of which are: Hassad Food Company, Widam Food Company, Almeera Consumer Goods Company, and Qatar Flour Mills Company.  The Ministry pointed, in this regard, to the key, pivotal role played by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Food Security Emergencies Operations Room, which was formed at the Ministry.

Moreover, the Ministry indicated the stability of prices of many commodities during the tournament. The prices of some products, such as vegetables, witnessed a significant decrease owing to being in season, in addition to the Ministry’s efforts to support the availability of national products in the local markets.

Additionally, the inspection campaigns conducted by the Ministry in the three central markets were key to supporting price stability and combating monopoly. These campaigns included 138 suppliers and 162 sales outlets (hypermarkets/supermarkets and their various branches), in addition to other catering companies, restaurants, cafes, and cafeterias.

The Ministry also sought to support goods diversity and availability in the main regions throughout the tournament. In this regard, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with Ministry of Municipality, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, and Almeera Consumer Goods Company, launched 10 temporary outlets in the vicinity of World Cup fans. Moreover, restaurants, exchange shops, and telecom operator kiosks were made available in various Almeera branches.

This initiative aims to give Qatar’s visitors easy access to products throughout the tournament, ensuring them an abundance and diversity of goods. Moreover, in addition to avoiding overcrowding in the permanent outlets, opening the temporary outlets seeks providing visitors with the chance to shop, round the clock, seven days a week.

The members of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) chose Mr Kassem Al-Darwish Fakhro, Commercial Attaché at the State of Qatar’s bureau to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other economic organizations in Geneva, as the Vice-Chair of the Investment, Enterprise, and Development Commission during its 13^th session, held from November 14-18, 2022.

 

Entrusting the State of Qatar for this position comes in light of the great interest it attaches to developing investment policies, to achieve its development goals in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

 

The Commission provides the opportunity to discuss key and emerging issues in the area of investment and enterprise and their implications for sustainable development, as well as policy solutions. Discussions focus on ways to mobilize public and private financing for investment in achieving the SDGs. Additionally, the best performing IPAs receive awards for their exceptional achievements in promoting and facilitating sustainable investment in agribusiness.

 

The Commission also looks into ways to capitalize on the effect of new technologies in formulating science, technology, and innovation policies for sustainable development, as well as the challenges facing developing countries in this field and potential solutions. Special emphasis is placed on technologies in the fields of energy and agriculture.

Established in 1964, UNCTAD is a specialized United Nations agency, which seeks to promote development among developing countries, and to facilitate the integration of their economies into the global one. Moreover, UNCTAD works on developing ideas and policies in this field.

The State of Qatar chaired UNCTAD during the period 2012-2016, and hosted the 13^th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 13), convened in Doha in 2012. The Doha Manar and Doha Mandate documents, adopted during UNCTAD 13, represent significant achievements, as they underscore the importance of development, and point out the concerns of developing countries in international trade.

 

 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced the launch of the Industrial Services Platform in the Ministry’s website. This platform is an electronic interface that supports industrial sector investors, providing them with e-services throughout the various stages of the industrial project, to save time and effort, and dispense the need to visit the Ministry’s headquarters.

 

This initiative stems from the Ministry’s keenness to improve the business services system in Qatar, as well as to facilitate and speed up the delivery of services for factory owners. Moreover, the said initiative contributes to encouraging the investment and industrial climate in Qatar. It also instils a culture of innovation in the institutional work environment.

As per the Ministry, the Industrial Services Platform includes 15 main services for a start:

• The establishment stage: services of issuing, renewing, and writing off an industrial project initial approval;
• The construction stage: services of issuing, renewing, and writing off licensing to establish an industrial project; and
• The operation phase: services of issuing, renewing, and writing off licensing to operate an industrial project (certificate of registration in the Industrial Registry).

 

 

The Ministry indicates that obtaining an industrial project initial approval requires one day (if all documents are submitted via the platform), such that the extract validity period is one year. Obtaining an industrial project initial approval requires filling out the relevant application form through the Industrial Services Platform, and having an active commercial register.

As for the service of renewing the industrial project initial approval, applicants obtain it upon applying, to receive a renewal valid for one year. Obtaining it requires filling out the relevant application form via the platform. With regard to the service of writing off the initial approval, the Ministry explained that it is obtained immediately upon applying, and requires filling out the relevant application form via the platform.

Concerning the industrial project establishment license service, the Ministry indicates that it requires three days, and the extract validity period is one year. Obtaining the said service requires filling out the relevant application form via the platform, submitting the project data (raw materials, machines, and products), and attaching the environmental permit issued by the Ministry of Environment, and the notice of the initial plot allocation for the project, or a lease contract/certificate of ownership of the construction site of the factory.

For the service of renewing the license to establish an industrial project, the details provided by the Ministry indicate that the service can be obtained immediately upon applying, and the renewal validity period is one year. Obtaining the said service requires filling out the relevant form via the platform. Likewise, applicants can write off the license to establish the industrial project upon applying for the service, after filling out the relevant form via the platform.

The Ministry indicated that obtaining licensing to operate an industrial project (certificate of registration in the Industrial Registry) takes five days, and the validity period of the obtained license is two years.

The service in question requires filling out the relevant application form via the platform, provided that the applicant holds a license to establish an industrial project and a valid commercial license.

The required attachments are: an environmental operating permit, a building completion certificate, and a copy of the certificate of conformity to Qatari standards issued by the Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology, in the case of industrial facilities that produce concrete, bricks, asphalt, and insulating materials (to be provided upon request). With regard to the service of renewing a license to operate an industrial project (registration certificate), the Ministry explanation indicates that the renewing a license to operate an industrial project is obtained immediately upon applying for the service, to receive a renewed license valid for two years.

This process requires applying for the service via the platform, and attaching the operating permit, and the project budget. Writing off licensing to operate an industrial project (registration certificate) is obtained immediately upon applying for the relevant service via the platform, having a valid or expired industrial project operating license.

According to the details provided by the Ministry, the processing time of increasing the production capacity of the industrial project takes three days, and requires filling out the relevant application form via the Industrial Services Platform. Moreover, the processing time of the service of obtaining a customs exemption for an industrial facility is three days, and requires filling out the relevant application form via the platform, given the availability of a valid license to establish an industrial project in the case of projects in the construction phase, or a valid operating license in the case of projects in the operating phase.

Concerning applying for power supply at subsidized prices, the Ministry indicates that this service requires one day, after filling out the relevant application form via the platform, and attaching a copy of the latest power bill, provided that the applicant holds a valid operating license. Obtaining approval for halting an industrial project takes one day, and the extract validity period is 6 months. The service in question requires filling out the relevant application form via the Industrial Services Platform, provided that the applicant holds a valid operating license.

The Industrial Services Platform is accessible through the website of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, or through the following link: https://industrialportal.moci.gov.qa/login.

 

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, visited a number of Ministry centres, to assess the Ministry’s readiness for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

H.E. checked the work progress in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Food Security Emergencies Follow-up Centre, specialized in following up the operational processes to supply the local markets with food and consumer items during the tournament, in an effort that stems from the Ministry’s keenness to devise the appropriate scenarios to address potential challenges throughout the tournament, especially through streamlining communication mechanisms between national companies, local factories, and goods suppliers, with sales outlets.

The Ministry’s efforts also seek enhancing the response to inventory shortages at sales outlets and the three central markets, in addition to testing immediate response plans for any emergency, assessing the readiness of all concerned parties in terms of handling various scenarios, assuring the understanding and awareness of joint plans, as well as defining roles and responsibilities.

The visit also entailed an explanation of the role of the Emergency Committee to ensure the import and flow of food and subsidized goods, which was formed under Ministerial Resolution No. (52) of 2022.

The said Committee handles securing all local market needs, namely food and consumer goods, and ensures access to all the supply sources and available alternatives. Moreover, it provides the appropriate conditions for importing, unloading, clearing, storing, and distributing goods, in addition to following up market developments and their supply and demand trends. It also protects competition and prevents monopolistic practices. The Emergency Committee also takes on risk management, as well as showcasing the plans of all major entities and companies to meet local market needs in terms of main food and consumer goods.

The visit featured a briefing on the work plan of the field control teams affiliated to the Emergency Committee, aimed at ensuring the import and flow of foodstuffs and catering items. H.E. moreover viewed the results of the inspection campaigns conducted on all commercial establishments, namely major outlets, grocery outlets, restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, and hotels.

The said campaigns seek to: ensure the availability of all consumer goods and services, deter monopolistic practices, monitor prices, and crack down on violations pertaining to the infringement of the World Cup logo intellectual property rights before, during, and after hosting the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Services Centre was also inspected, in addition to checking the workflow therein.

The Services Centre aims at streamlining the registration and commercial licensing procedures, facilitating the establishment of companies concerned with World Cup projects, and providing a variety of quick services that accommodate all investor and dealer needs.

Moreover, the Services Centre speeds up transactions that include the various Ministry sectors, and also contributes to the registration of World Cup intellectual property marks.

At the conclusion of the visit, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry praised the efforts exerted to ensure the Ministry’s readiness in preparation for this tournament. Moreover, H.E. the Minister called for further increasing efforts to contribute to the success of this global event, and ensure it duly reflects Qatar’s position as a leading global destination at various levels.

Qatar pays great attention to the National Food Security Strategy, in a constant pursuit of enhancing the State’s strategic reserves and food security.

Qatar has always been in a leading position in terms of food security indicators in the region. This reflects the State’s wise leadership’s vision,  underlying the proactive contingency plans, the citizen support programs, and the investment in crop storage, improving roads and ports, irrigation infrastructure, diversifying international trade partners and trade routes, and increasing domestic production capacity for the key perishable commodities.

Moreover, the State has expanded and modernized the logistical infrastructure in its ports and warehouses, and increased reserves of a wide range of basic foodstuffs in retail stores across Qatar.

 

The Moroccan capital, Rabat, saw launching the first round of negotiations on a draft free trade agreement between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Morocco, which took place during the period November 7-9, 2022.

The delegation of the State of Qatar at the negotiations was chaired by Mr Saleh Abdullah Al-Mana, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Trade Agreements at the Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry, while the Moroccan side was headed by Mr Abdelouahed Rahal, Director General of Trade at the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The negotiations stem from the keenness to enhance prospects for bilateral cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Morocco in all fields, especially in terms of economic affairs, trade, and investment.

During the meeting, the two sides stressed the importance of concluding the agreement, and highlighted the role it would play in furthering common interests, and enhancing the bilateral partnership relations in aims at meeting the two sibling countries’ aspirations.

The first draft of the Qatari-Moroccan Free Trade Agreement included looking into ways to enhance cooperation in the field of trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, competition, and dispute settlement, taking into account the sensitive sectors.

In conclusion, the minutes of the first round of negotiations were signed, and it was agreed to hold the second round of negotiations for Qatari-Moroccan Free Trade Agreement in the Qatari capital, Doha.

The initiative aims to:

·         Test emergency response plans

·         Address a variety of scenarios during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

_________________________________________________________________________

 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with strategic partners, factories, national companies, hypermarkets, and catering companies, conducted simulation exercises of operational supply processes of food and consumer goods to local markets during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The simulation exercises for operational processes form part of the Ministry’s efforts to define scenarios to address projected challenges while holding the tournament, particularly in aims at facilitating communication between national businesses, local factories, and goods suppliers with hypermarkets. The Ministry’s efforts also seek enhancing the response to inventory shortages at hypermarkets, catering businesses, and the three central markets.

Moreover, the said exercises seek to test quick response plans for any emergency, assess the readiness of all concerned parties in terms of handling various scenarios, assure the understanding and awareness of joint plans, and define roles and responsibilities.

The simulation exercises saw the participation of: the Emergency Committee’s operations room, hypermarkets, national companies and factories, catering companies, and major suppliers of food and consumer goods.

The Ministry emphasized that the simulation exercises offered a chance to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of operational process coordination structures and communication channels amongst all stakeholders, in preparation for hosting the international event.

 

 

The simulation exercises included simulating many possible events and scenarios during the tournament, as well as defining ways to address them by the concerned authorities.

One simulation exercise involved supplying fruit and vegetable types from strategic partner warehouses to the central markets (Al Sailiya, Umm Salal, and Al-Wakrah), in coordination with Aswaq Company for food facilities management. Moreover, simulations included assessing the supply of vegetables, fruits, frozen red meat, frozen chicken, table eggs, and bottled water, from strategic partner warehouses to those of catering companies, in addition to assessing the supply of food items from strategic partner warehouses to major outlets or their associated warehouses, such as Almeera, Carrefour, LuLu Hypermarket, Safari Hypermarket, Spar, Masskar Hypermarket, and the Family Food Center.

The Ministry confirmed that the simulation exercises were carried out successfully, demonstrating that all parties involved were prepared to meet the diverse local market needs during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

 

 

 

 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, and Al Meera Consumer Goods Company, announced opening temporary outlets in the vicinity of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ fans.

This initiative aims to give Qatar’s visitors easy access to products throughout the tournament, ensuring them an abundance and diversity of goods. In addition to avoiding overcrowding in the permanent outlets, opening the temporary outlets seeks to provide visitors with the chance to shop, round the clock, seven days a week.

To this end, Al Meera inaugurated 10 temporary outlets across Qatar, eight of which were opened on November 2, and two will open on November 5, namely: West Bay – Onaiza 63 Ezdan, West Bay – Al Dafna 61, Bu Sidra Complex, Umm Ghuwailina Metro Station, Al Messila Bus Station, Fan Village in Lusail, Fan Village in Ras Bufontas, Caravan City in Al Messila, Barwa Barahat Al Janoub Property, and Barwa Madinatna.

In addition to temporary sales outlets to serve World Cup guests, Al Meera Consumer Goods Company has 64 branches across Qatar. These include 15 sales outlets that are open round the clock, in addition to 6 branches in the Doha Metro that will be open round the clock, seven days a week.

The Ministry explained that the initiative includes the various regions hosting World Cup guests, hence allowing them to shop for high quality services and products at reasonable prices.

The new temporary outlets started operating today, Wednesday, November 2, 2022. Al Meera used the distinctive World Cup designs and colors in decorating its outlets.

It is worth noting that the Ministry has been keen during the last period to coordinate efforts with all concerned authorities to accommodate all consumer needs.

In this context, the Ministry has cooperated with Al Meera to provide an adequate stock of various types of consumer goods such as grains, rice, oils, meat and its derivatives, poultry, eggs, cheese, dairy, juices, and foodstuffs of all kinds.

 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality, announced launching the Advertising License Service through the Single Window Platform. This step forms part of the efforts to improve and develop services to upgrade the business services system, and contributes to facilitating and speeding up providing these services. Such endeavours support enhancing the investment and trade climate in Qatar.

 

The Ministry explained that the service in question allowed companies and investors to obtain advertising licenses (temporary, permanent, or annual) from the concerned authorities, to advertise using street/building billboards or vehicle ads. The advertising license is provided within three days, after submitting the application, with the required documents attached, via the Single Window website.

 

The Advertising Licenses Service complements the Ministry’s efforts to develop the services provided to the private sector.  The said efforts pour into honing procedures for doing business in the State, and unifying Ministry procedures vis-à-vis citizens and investors, through a single service window.

 

The Advertising Licenses Service is among the services launched through the Single Window, to speed up and digitize procedures, in aims at improving services provided to individuals and companies, raising the efficiency of government administrative processes, and effectively employing information technology in providing public services. The said streamlining efforts support the State of Qatar’s vision of building a knowledge-based economy, and achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.

 

It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched a package of smart e-services through the Single Window platform, comprising 27 main services, and 149 sub-services. Such efforts mark a qualitative leap in the Ministry’s processing and dealings vis-à-vis citizens.

The said services include: comprehensive incorporation, comprehensive renewal, requesting a replacement for lost commercial license, obtaining a hard copy of commercial registration, issuing tax card, receiving e-mail notifications, activating link point with the building completion certificate, enabling e-signatures, completing issuance of the industrial license for industrial registration, obtaining approval for Qatar Development Bank financing, and completing activation of Industrial Approvals Portal. The services also include access to the Industrial Approvals Portal’s improved features, control panel, and reports.

Moreover, the services entail issuing facility registration, access to the mobile application, comprehensive modification service, adding a branch, issuing a sub-license, contract management services for foreign contracting companies, comprehensive closure, issuing home licenses, printing extracts, and obtaining a certification of good conduct, as well as the company merger/division service.

 

In addition, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has devised and launched a number of services that were not included in the original scope of the project. These services were implemented to improve investors’ Single Window experience, as well as increase their satisfaction with the offered services. These services include: executive seizure and release of seizure (Supreme Judicial Council), digital seizure and release of  seizure (Authority for Minors’ Affairs), validation of the commercial register extract for entities and individuals, home licensing services (issuance – amendment – renewal), registration and commercial licenses extracts, issuance of establishment branch registration, declaring real beneficiary information, and the comprehensive information centre service.

 

Through the Single Window Platform, 60,450 digitally signed incorporation contracts were signed by investors, and contracts were digitally signed by the Ministry of Justice, in addition to signing 10,272 documents by investors, through the Incorporation Contract Digital Signature service. Moreover, 70,913 payment processes were completed via the Single Window e-Payment Gateway. Concerning the e-Approvals Gateway, it includes 77 registered entities and 17 active government entities. 23,684 complete digital approvals have been issued through the e-Approvals Gateway, which hosts 80 digital link points with various supporting agencies and bodies.

 

As for requests and transactions, the number of transactions submitted through the Single Window has amounted to 218,159 transactions, 12,809 facility registration issuances, and 46,176 tax number issuances.

 

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr. MikayilJabbarov, Minister of the Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with Qatar Development Bank (QDB)’s Coding and Tracking Office, organized yesterday a workshop entitled ‘Introducing Qatari Coding and Tracking Office and International Article Number’, in aims at supporting the national economy through the industrial and service sectors.

 

The workshop featured introducing the global standards organisation (GS1), the business solution services it provides, the global standards system (GS1 System), and the rules for assigning article numbers to products, services, and places. Also, during the workshop, the Qatar’s Coding and Tracking Office (GS1 Qatar) was introduced, as well as the services it provides to Qatari companies, with the aim of spreading awareness and introducing local companies and institutions to the unified international standards system and the mechanisms for its application in supply chains to serve the various sectors in Qatar.

 

The workshop also touched on the global barcode and tracking system. It is noteworthy that Qatar obtained the code 630 to ensure a unique and distinctive identification that allows tracking national products and marketing them at home and abroad. This measure contributes to increasing exports and complying with international requirements.

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al-Thani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with Mr. Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Finland, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

The State of Qatar has signed a contract for its official participation with a national pavilion in the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, scheduled to be held from April 13 until October 13, 2025, in Osaka, Japan.

The participation contract was signed by Mr Nasser Mohammed Al-Muhannadi, Deputy Commissioner-General and Chairman of the Preparation Committee for the State of Qatar’s Participation in World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. From the Japanese side, the contract was signed by His Excellency the Commissioner General of the Japan Association for Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, in the presence of Mr Abdulbasit Al-Ajji, Vice Chairman of the Preparation Committee and the preparation of the State of Qatar pavilion, along with a number of officials in the Expo’s organizing committee.

The Preparation Committee for the State of Qatar’s Participation in World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, composed of representatives from several State authorities, has commenced action as of the decision to form it.

The Committee shall handle preparing the needed equipment for the State’s participation in the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. It shall also take on designing a distinguished, top-notch pavilion. To these ends, the Committee is holding periodic meetings in order to ensure the State of Qatar makes a distinguished, admirable participation.

Themed ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’, the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai focuses on three sub-themes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives.  150 countries and 25 international organizations are expected to participate in the Expo, and the projected number of visitors is some 82 million visitors, of which 3.5 million are from outside Japan.

The Expo activities and events are in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, the 2030 Agenda, aimed at achieving a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable society.

For Qatar’s part, its participation in the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai is an opportunity to strengthen trade, industrial, and investment cooperation relations with the various participating countries.

This will contribute to supporting the economic sectors that serve Qatar’s development trends, including the industrial, commercial, and tourism sectors.

Moreover, this participation gives Qatari businessmen and companies access to building strong relations with the Japanese side, hence allowing the establishment of businesses and partnerships in various sectors, especially as Osaka is one of Japan’s business hubs.

 

The State of Qatar participated today in the 63rd meeting of the GCC Commercial Cooperation Committee, the fourth meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs, and the 49th meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee, which were held at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The State of Qatar’s delegation in the meetings was chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The meetings featured discussing a number of topics and issues listed on the agenda, in addition to taking the appropriate pertaining decisions.

Moreover, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry participated in the inauguration ceremony of the Future Factories Program, which was launched on the sidelines of the meetings of the Commercial and Industrial Cooperation Committees at the headquarters of the Secretariat General under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry organized a ceremony to honor the entities participating in the initiatives to subsidize the prices of consumer goods,  sheep meat during Ramadan, as well as sacrifices, under an initiative launched by the Ministry in 2022. The ceremony was attended by a number of Ministry officials and company owners.

 

During his speech on this occasion, Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Al Bohashem Al Sayed, Director of Quality Licensing and Market Control Department at the Ministry, stressed the importance of the ceremony as it comprises a significant occasion to celebrate the success of the initiatives launched by the Ministry to subsidize the prices of consumer goods and red meat in 2022. The ceremony also comprised a chance to honor government and private agencies that played a key role in these achievements, Dr. Al Bohashem pointed out, further expressing the pride he felt of the spirit of cooperation, as well as the joint and continuous coordination between the Ministry and all concerned parties, for the end of meeting citizens and residents’ various needs. Such efforts contribute to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build an advanced State, capable of achieving sustainable development and ensuring a maintained decent living for its people, generations to come.

 

The Ministry is keen to implement such initiatives to protect consumer rights and enhance their purchasing power during periods of high demand for basic and consumer food items and commodities, especially during Ramadan, Dr. Al Bohashem said. In cooperation with the concerned government agencies and a number of private sector representatives, including sales outlets in Qatar, merchants, and suppliers, the Ministry has sought to launch initiatives for reducing commodity pricing and subsidizing sheep meat prices during Ramadan, as well as the prices of sacrifices for 1443 AH/ 2022 AD.

 

In this regard, Dr. Al Bohashem pointed out that the Ministry, in cooperation with major outlets in Qatar, and through its annual initiative for reducing goods prices, had succeeded in increasing the number of items and goods covered by the initiative by 23% compared to last year. The list of discounted goods currently includes more than 800 food and consumer commodities. The initiative hence contributes to reducing the rate of consumer spending on basic necessities by 14%.

 

Moreover, Dr. Al Bohashem explained that in parallel with that, through the subsidizing sheep meat prices initiative, which comes within the framework of encouraging local production and supporting farm owners, subsidies covered about 30,000 sheep during the blessed month of Ramadan, and about 12,500 sacrifices. The entire quantity was sold, in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Widam Food Company.

 

Dr. Al Bohashem stressed that work was still underway in cooperation with various concerned authorities and institutions to enhance price stability in local markets, strike a balance between supply and demand, protect competition, and prevent monopolistic practices, according to a clear and integrated strategy based on the National Vision, oriented towards meeting all the aspirations of Qatar’s citizens and residents. Dr. Al Bohashem further expressed his aspiration that this recognition would motivate joint action to further progress and prosperity in Qatar.

 

The honoring ceremony included a presentation of the Ministry’s initiatives to subsidize the prices of consumer goods and red meat for 2022, to clarify the nature and objectives of these initiatives.

 

The ceremony featured honoring the entities that participated in the Ministry’s initiatives to subsidize the prices of consumer goods and red meat for 2022.  This recognition marks the Ministry’ appreciation of the efforts of the entities participating in its initiatives, and their outstanding contribution to the success of these initiatives, as a result of all entities’ concerted and coordinated efforts.

 

It is worth noting that the Ministry’s initiatives to subsidize the prices of consumer goods and red meat for 2022 contributed to maintaining price stability of basic consumer goods during the blessed month of Ramadan, and the sale of the entire quantity of red meat during the holy month and Eid al-Adha. Moreover, the said initiative supported the growth of local production in terms of the supplied sheep this year. About 26,300 local sheep were provided during the blessed month of Ramadan, while the number of imported sheep reached about 3,700 sheep. Moreover, 9000 local sheep were provided during Eid al-Adha, while the number of imported sheep amounted to 3,500 sheep.

 

• E. the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry participates in the opening ceremony of the annual Gulf Entrepreneurs Forum.

 

H.E. Mr Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated today in the 55^th preparatory meeting for the GCC Trade Cooperation Committee, and the 41^st preparatory meeting for the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee, at the headquarters of the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 

Their Excellencies the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Trade and Industry discussed a number of topics of common interest listed on their agenda, and made  recommendations based thereon to Their Excellencies the Ministers of Commerce and Industry in the GCC States for them to adopt in their upcoming meetings, and take the appropriate relevant measures.

 

Moreover, H.E. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry participated in the opening ceremony of the annual Gulf Entrepreneurs Forum. H.E. also participated in the consultative meeting of Their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Trade and Industry, which featured discussing the various aspects related to the entrepreneurship system, pointing out the most significant challenges and recommendations related to strengthening the Gulf entrepreneurship environment.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and His Excellency Mr Mohsen Rezaei,Vice President for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, inaugurated the QI International Trade Fair for Iranian Products, taking place at the Katara Cultural Village until October 19.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by a number of members of the Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association, alongside several Iranian company owners.

After the inauguration ceremony, Their Excellencies the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Iranian Vice President for Economic Affairs toured the exhibition. They viewed some of the participating companies’ pavilions featuring their products.

The QI International Trade Fair for Iranian Productsaims to introduce the key Iranian industries, as well as display Iranian companies’ products across a number of fields. The main displayed products include: food items, carpets, oil and gas derivatives, petrochemical products, textiles, and leather products.

Moreover, the Fair features organizing a number of side-events. It also comprises a platform for holding bilateral meetings between businessmen from both sides, to discuss available investment opportunities, and ways to build long-term economic cooperation mechanisms between Qatari and Iranian companies.

On the side-lines of the QI International Trade Fair for Iranian products inauguration ceremony, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, met with H.E. Mr Mohsen Rezaei.

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the International Trademark Association, organized a training program on trademarks and trade names for employees in the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department, the Commercial Registration and Licensing Department, and the Single Window Platform, on October10 & 11, 2022, in the presence of His Excellency Mr Saleh Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs.

 

This training stems from the Ministry’s keenness to enhance the protection of intellectual property rights, raise employees’ efficiency and readiness, enhance their capabilities, and introduce new procedures for trademarks and trade names.

 

The training program covered several topics, including a general introduction on intellectual property and trademarks, and the most common intellectual and industrial property rights such as: copyrights, literary works, trade secrets, patents, industrial designs, trade names, and trademarks. Moreover, the training highlighted Law No. (9) of 2002 on Trademarks, Commercial Indicators, Trade Names, Geographical Indications, and Industrial Designs and Models, and Law No. (7) of 2014 Promulgating the Law (Regulation) of Trademarks in the GCC Countries.

 

Additionally, the training program shed light on the concept of the trademark, its types, elements and significance, as well as methods of examining and querying trademarks and geographical indications.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr. Jeenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

 

 

His Excellency Mr Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated today in the 13^th edition of the Turkish-Arab Economic Forum, held in Istanbul, Turkey.

The 13^th Turkish-Arab Economic Forum featured the participation of a number of ministers, senior Arab and Turkish government officials, bankers, and personnel of financial, business, and investment institutions in Turkey and other countries in the region, as well as regional and international finance and development institutions.

For his part, H.E. Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater stressed in his speech at the Forum’s main session of the importance of this event, which comprises a prominent venue for exploring growth prospects for the global economy, in light of the current challenges, and also for discussing ways to consolidate the trade and investment partnership between the Arab countries and Turkey.

Qatar’s participation in the Forum stems from its deep belief that confronting any cross-border crisis can only take place jointly, based on the concerted efforts of the international community, H.E. stated. Moreover, Qatar is well-aware of the importance of partnership as a major guarantee for strengthening bilateral relations between countries, H.E. added, noting in this regard that Qatar viewed Turkey as a key strategic partner.

H.E. additionally praised the distinguished and close sibling relations between the two nations, founded on common denominators that have crystallized in light of the stands of solidarity and both sides’ similar visions in various fields. The said factors have positively reflected in the level of trade exchange between the two nations, as the volume of Qatari-Turkish trade exchange amounted to about 1.8 billion USD in 2021, and Qatar is home to more than 767 Turkish companies operating in various vital sectors.

The Turkish-Arab Economic Forum was convened for the first time in 2005, and has had 12 previous editions. The forum is a venue for discussing a number of economic issues of common interest between the Arab States and Turkey, as well as discussing ways to enhance and deepen economic and investment cooperation between the two sides.

The 13^th edition of the Forum featured organizing four working sessions that focused on a number of important axes, including: the new pillars of the Turkish-Arab economic partnership, ways to overcome the current global geopolitical and economic challenges, trade development through investment in supply chains and logistics, new investment prospects in Turkey, and opportunities in the field of food security, as well as other vital topics.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation, organized an awareness campaign on organ donation, with the aim of educating employees on the importance of this initiative.

The organization of this campaign comes as part of the Ministry’s Community Participation Program. It moreover translates the Ministry’s humanitarian values, entailed in its strategic plan aimed at achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030- Qatar’s citizen-oriented endeavor for sustainable human development.

The campaign aims to educate participants on the importance of organ donation and its role in saving the lives of thousands of patients. It also provides the necessary information to people wishing to donate, in addition to explaining the registration process.

The campaign participants portrayed outstanding interaction and awareness of the importance of organ donation, especially since this humanitarian gesture may contribute to saving the lives of patients and alleviating their suffering. The initiative in question also instills the values of cooperation and solidarity in society.

 

 

Signing strategic partnership agreement between Ministry of Commerce and Industry and BVMW to establish the first BVMW office in Gulf Region

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with Mr. Markus Jerger, Executive Director of the German Federal Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (BVMW), currently visiting Qatar.

The meeting featured previewing aspects of promoting and developing trade and economic cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Germany.

During the meeting, the economic policies adopted by Qatar to diversify the national economy were also highlighted.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry signed a strategic partnership agreement with the German Federal Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (BVMW), in aims at establishing a representative office in Qatar, creating the BVMW’s first ever headquarters in the Gulf Region.

The agreement was signed by H.E. Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Markus Jerger, Executive Director, BVMW.

On this occasion, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry praised the importance of this partnership, pointing out that it reflected the keenness of the Qatari and German governments to consolidate their strategic partnership and develop cooperation between both nations’ business sectors. H.E. added that this joint effort will also benefit German SMEs by providing them with more investment opportunities in both the State of Qatar as well as gain access to expanding to various markets in the region.

For his part, Mr Markus Jerger, Executive Director, BVMW, said: “The signing of the strategic partnership follows the announcements of H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, during his visits to Germany in 2018 and 2022 to expand investment and economic cooperation between Qatari and German small and medium-sized enterprises. Qatar is currently one of the largest foreign investors in Germany with around 25 billion euros.  Qatar has announced further investments in Germany in the coming years with a focus on SMEs, amounting to 10 billion euros. With the opening of our BVMW-GCC headquarters in Doha, we are creating a contact point for German and Qatari small and medium-sized companies to benefit from business opportunities and advantages in Qatar and Germany, as well as the opportunity to expand into various markets in the region, especially since Doha is an important investment hub in the region. Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to wish our national teams a successful participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.”

Under this new partnership, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and BVMW will host numerous cross-promotional business and investment events, arrange several delegation visits between the two countries and launch marketing campaigns across multiple media platforms to shed light on the several business opportunities in Qatar for German SMEs.

The signing of this agreement builds on the November 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IPA Qatar and BVMW, which aims to jointly advance Qatari-German economic and commercial cooperation and identify new opportunities within the SME sector.

The establishment of BVMW’s office in Doha will contribute to strengthening the Qatari-German relations in the field of business, by connecting BVMW members with Qatari counterparts. It will also serve as a hub for expanding opportunities to link German businesses with potential partners across the region. This new partnership also forms a dual framework to launch joint initiatives in the areas of business facilitation, knowledge transfer, and exchange of experiences.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry underscored banning the use, sale, or circulation of the State of Qatar’s official emblem by commercial stores, as well as its commercial use on electronic platforms, in accordance with Law No. (9) of 2002 with respect to Trademarks, Trade Indications, Trade names, Geographical Indications, and Industrial Designs and Templates.

In this regard, the Ministry intends to work in coordination with the concerned authorities to ensure that traders, store managers, and others comply with what is stated in this announcement. The Ministry will also intensify its inspection campaigns, and will take the necessary legal measures against anyone who violates laws and the enacting ministerial decisions.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation, organized a blood donation campaign for its employees at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lusail City.

 

This campaign stems from the Ministry’s commitment to supporting social responsibility, and comes as an emphasis of its active role in community service, as well as increasing community awareness of the importance of blood donation.

 

The campaign also aims at contributing to supporting the blood bank stock at Hamad Corporation to meet the increasing demand for blood and its derivatives, especially in light of the preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with a target of securing a sufficient stock of blood for this significant global sporting event.

The campaign witnessed a large turnout of Ministry employees, who were keen to make a blood donation. They praised this initiative, which encourages humanitarian action.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the International Football Association (FIFA) and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, organized today a workshop for the judicial officers of National Committee for Intellectual Property Right Protection during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

 

Continuing until Tuesday, September 20, 2022, the workshop has seen the participation of about 90 staff members from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Municipality.

 

The training in question forms part of the Ministry’s efforts, in coordination with other relevant ministries and government agencies, to implement measures to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in accordance with the highest pertaining international practices, as well as to support intellectual property rights and provide the necessary protection for major international brands.  The workshop touches on ways to instil fair competition, prevent illegal abuses such as unauthorized promotional activities, combat the sale of counterfeit goods, or FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 products without obtaining the approval of the concerned authorities, and curb the unauthorized use of FIFA and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 trademarks and designs.

 

The workshop also addresses many vital topics, including the tasks of judicial officers in the vicinity of stadiums during the period of holding matches, ways to protect trademarks and intellectual property rights of FIFA and tournament sponsors, as well as means to protect World Cup designs and the rights of companies that have been licensed to sell World Cup products. Additionally, the workshop features highlighting the pertaining laws and regulations, such as Law No. (10) of 2021 regarding the Measures for Hosting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

 

Moreover, the workshop discusses ways to protect the rights of joint stock companies, mechanisms for determining officially licensed products, and a review of the trademark protection program in stadiums during the tournament period.

 

His Excellency Mr. Sultan Bin Rashid Al-Khater, the Undersecretary of Ministry of Commerce and Industry met today with His Excellency Mr. Scott Taylor, President of the Qatar-US Business Council, who is currently visiting Qatar.

 

The meeting was attended by H.E. Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad Al Thani, the Qatar Managing Director for Qatar- US Business Council.

During the meeting, officials discussed and exchanged views on issues of common interest, as well as aspects of bilateral cooperation in the trade, investment, and industrial fields, as well as means to enhance and develop them, in light of the distinguished ties and common strategic interests binding the two nations.

 

During the meeting, H.E. the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry previewed the economic policies adopted by Qatar to diversify the national economy and support the private sector. H.E. moreover highlighted the incentives, legislation, and promising opportunities available in the country, aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and American company owners to invest in Qatar.

 

Doha – Thursday, September 8, 2022:

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Police Training Institute at the Ministry of Interior, organized a training workshop for the Ministry’s judicial officers on the sense of security, on September 4-8, 2022.

The workshop forms part of the Ministry’s efforts aimed at implementing and adopting the best practices in preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Moreover, the Ministry is keen on raising the efficiency of judicial officers, who were assigned to inspection and control throughout this event. It also seeks to develop their capabilities and provide them with knowledge and skills needed to enhance their sense of security and security readiness.

The workshop shed light on some terms related to the sense of security, including definitions pertaining to the sense of security, its types, characteristics, mechanism to address it, and the means to develop it. The workshop also touched on the main aspects related to body language and its uses, as well as other related topics.

Additionally, the workshop touched on how to deal with violators, site inspection procedures, inspector role and skills in terms of observation and obtaining the necessary security information.

-Ends-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ministry won the Excellence Award in the Innovation category, for its e-Inspection System project, stemming from its keenness to contribute to Qatar’s journey towards digital transformation.

 

The award was received by Mr. Ali Khaled Al-Khulaifi, Director of Planning and Quality Department and Acting Director of Information Technology Department, on the side-lines of launching of the first large-scale cloud data centre region in Qatar, on Wednesday evening, August 31, 2022.

 

 

The e-Inspection System project culminates the Ministry’s efforts to implement the measures to host the World Cup events, pursuant to Law No. (10) of 2021 on the Measures for Hosting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

 

 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is working in cooperation with the various ministries and relevant authorities in Qatar to contribute to organizing this historic global event, in line with the law passed in this regard. The said law’s measures stipulate monitoring the distribution, sale, and advertisement of all products marketed by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), its affiliate organizations, and its business partners, as well as goods suppliers, works contractors, and service providers, at the event sites and the commercial zone subject to control.

 

Additionally, the Ministry monitors compliance with Law No. (11) of 2021 on the Protection of Trademarks, Copyrights, and Related Rights of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

 

The e-Inspection System aims to enhance the capabilities and skills of the Ministry’s inspectors in terms of monitoring and controlling the concerned authorities responsible for ensuring abiding by the laws and decisions regulating the business and trade sectors in Qatar, especially in terms of registries, licenses, intellectual property rights, combating commercial fraud, monitoring defective and harmful goods, after-sale services, strategic inventory, price evaluation and follow-up, field control, central markets, and others.

 

The e-Inspection System forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to provide smart, innovative services that contribute to enhancing consumer protection, regulating the business environment, supporting competition, and combating commercial fraud.

 

The e-Inspection System includes all Ministry departments, so as to support its inspection campaigns in various fields related to its competencies. The e-system also allows the Ministry inspectors to complete all procedures for filing violations to the concerned authorities electronically without the need to fill out paper forms.

 

Moreover, the e-Inspection System provides the user with the ability to communicate and follow up the inspection procedures, including records, notifications, and payment of penalties and fines, in addition to the ability to complete the reconciliation procedures with the violating parties. This e-system also allows inspection campaign management and control, assigning inspectors, and helping to take decisions in light of performance indicators.

 

 

• The volume of Qatari-Turkish trade exchange amounted to about 1.8 billion USD in 2021.
• The Forum is a significant occasion to consolidate the strategic partnership between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey, in terms of policies and plans aimed at developing and promoting agricultural trade.
• About 29.3% of the global population has experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2021, i.e. an increase of 350 million people compared to the pre-COVID-19 period.

 

Doha – Thursday, September 1, 2022:

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, participated with a recorded speech in the opening session of the Izmir Business Days Forum, organized via video conferencing. The Forum is taking place within the framework of the 91^stedition of the Izmir International Fair, held on September 1-2, 2022, in the Turkish city of Izmir.

At the beginning of his speech, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry extended his appreciation of the Izmir Forum topics that aim to chart the future prospects for the agricultural sector and the food supply chains, stating that it comprised one of the world’s largest humanitarian global issues.

“Undoubtedly the measures imposed during the past two years to contain the COVID-19 virus have been effective,” His Excellency said, further referring to the repercussions of some measures that have contributed to exacerbating the challenges that different world countries have been facing for several years, especially regarding international trade, and the functionality of global supply chains for food and agricultural commodities.

Additionally, His Excellency said that the recent developments had directly affected global food security and caused fluctuations in food markets.

His Excellency referred to the 2022 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report, devised by five international organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the UN World Food Programme (WFP). The said report indicates that about 29.3% of the global population has experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2021, i.e. an increase of 350 million people compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, His Excellency stated.

Moreover, His Excellency touched on the reality that some countries had resorted to adopting protectionist trade measures to curb the rise in food prices, as per the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Bank data issued in June 2022. The aforementioned reports highlight that around 25 countries have adopted export restrictions, affecting about 8% of global food trade, His Excellency said.

In this context, His Excellency stressed the firm belief of the State of Qatar that “any cross-border global crisis can only be resolved under the auspices of the international community,” elaborating that the repercussions of these crises affected all countries of the world, and their impact could be greater on countries that were largely dependent on basic commodity imports, especially developing and poor countries.

The Izmir Business Days Forum is an opportunity to discuss the innovative and efficient solutions and initiatives, which can facilitate trade, support global food supply chains, and enhance investment in agricultural technologies that are resilient to the effects of climate change, His Excellency further stated.

During his speech, the Minister of Commerce and Industry praised the close sibling relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey, stressing that the said relations had been consolidated under the wise visions of both countries’ leaderships. Moreover, the depth of Qatari-Turkish relationships has positively reflected on the volume of trade exchange between them, which amounted to about $1.8 billion in 2021.

Qatar’s participation in this year’s edition of the Izmir Forum is a significant occasion to consolidate the strategic partnership between the two sibling countries in terms of policies and plans, aimed at developing and promoting agricultural trade, to support achieving both nations’ common food security goals, His Excellency said.

At the conclusion of his speech, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry explained that the Forum represented a new opportunity to underscore Qatar’s firm commitment to strengthening international cooperation in various fields, in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aimed at meeting the aspirations of all the peoples of the world to progress, development, and prosperity.

The Izmir International Fair is the first trade fair in the Republic of Turkey. Over the past nine decades, it has succeeded in becoming an important, diverse platform for exchanging views on global and domestic trends in trade and policy-making, as well as for forging new partnerships.

This year, the Fair features the Izmir Business Days Forum, themed: ‘Agriculture Trade: Establishing Resilient Global Food Supply Chains’. The Forum includes five dialogue sessions, featuring a number of speakers, including ministers, senior officials, experts, CEOs of major institutions and companies, as well as media representatives from different countries worldwide.

The sessions highlight a number of topics including: ‘Transformation in Agriculture: Green and Sustainable Agriculture’, alongside presenting ‘Agricultural-Based Specialized Organized Industrial Zones Application Examples’. The Forum also addresses ‘The Future of Agriculture and Food in A Changing World’, ‘Sustainable Agriculture and Food Trade’, ‘Food and Agriculture Products Export from the Perspective of Sustainability’, and ‘Current Trends on Maritime Agribusiness Logistics’.

 

-Ends-

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in coordination with the concerned authorities, cracked down on a shop in the Al-Sadd for displaying and selling counterfeit leather goods and bags bearing international brands. This act comes in violation of Article No. (6) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection.

The campaign resulted in issuing a violation against the shop, and the necessary legal measures were taken against the perpetrator.

This measure forms part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities across Qatar, and control prices, as well as detect abuses, and commodities that are falsified, counterfeit, or non-conforming to standard specifications.

Violating Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection exposes perpetrators to penalties ranging from administrative closure to financial fines between three thousand and one million Qatari Riyals.

In this regard, the Ministry stressed that it would not tolerate any negligence in terms of meeting obligations stipulated in law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection and its executive bylaws.

The Ministry is working to intensify its inspection campaigns to control violating practices, and to refer violators of laws and Ministerial decisions to the competent authorities to the needed due measures.

The Ministry also urges all citizens and residents to report any violations or infractions through the following channels:

– Call Centre: 16001

– The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s social media accounts:

– Twitter @MOCIQATAR

– Instagram MOCIQATAR

 

• Trade in goods between Qatar and UK grew in 2021 to reach 4.54 billion USD recording a 51.4% increase compared to 2020
• The UK is the seventh-largest trading partner of Qatar

Doha – Wednesday, August 24, 2022:

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and His Excellency Mr. Ranil Jayawardena, Minister for International Trade in the United Kingdom, chaired the third session of the Qatar-UK Joint Economic & Trade Committee, held in London.

 

The third Joint Committee saw the attendance of H.E. Fahd bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United Kingdom, along with representatives of several stakeholders, including the Qatar Investment Authority, the Investment Promotion Agency, and the Qatar Development Bank.

 

At the outset of his opening speech, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry stressed that the topics discussed in the meeting reflected the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as their determination to advance the prospects for cooperation in all fields, including trade, investment, and commercial partnership.

The visit by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani earlier this year displays the close bilateral relationship shared between Qatar and the United Kingdom, H.E. noted.

The bilateral relations are founded on both nations’ shared values and mutual interests as evidenced by the strong growth in bilateral investments and trade, which positions the UK as one of Qatar’s leading strategic partners, H.E. said, pointing out that trade in goods between the two countries grew in 2021 to reach 4.54 billion USD recording a 51.4% increase compared to 2020. This makes the United Kingdom the seventh-largest trading partner of Qatar.

On the level of investments between the two countries, H.E. observed that More than 1,200 British companies are operating across various fields in Qatar.

Moreover, human capital plays a key role in supporting the national economy, considering that Qatar is home to 21,500 UK citizens, H.E. pointed out.

The UK is an attractive destination for Qatari investments in several strategic sectors, including real estate development, hospitality, healthcare, technology and other areas, H.E. stated in a related context.

H.E. welcomed the joint declaration earlier this year from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the UK, to launch negotiations toward the signing of a Free Trade Agreement.

 

Speaking about the Qatari economy, H.E. stressed that Qatar has successfully maintained progress toward achieving sustainable economic growth, owing to the strategic policies implemented by the nation’s leadership.

 

The Qatar National Vision 2030 seeks to build a knowledge-based economy that is both diversified and self-sustainable, H.E. pointed out, further explaining that the four pillars of the vision, namely Human, Social, Economic, and Environmental Development, provide an outlook on what Qatar seeks to achieve.

 

The State has devised policies that aim to create an economy that is open, attractive and facilitates commerce and investments, H.E. further explained.

 

In 2019, Qatar has implemented new legislation which allows for 100% foreign ownership of businesses, H.E. indicated. This comes alongside establishing multiple Industrial areas and Logistic zones such as Al Karaana Zone, Umm Alhoul Zone and others amounting to a cumulative of 162 square kilometres in industrial and logistic zones.

 

The newly developed Hamad Port, with its state-of-the-art infrastructure is currently handling over 1.5 million containers annually, with the capacity to handle over 7 million containers, H.E. added.

H.E. expressed his aspiration that the meeting would contribute to establishing solid mechanisms for bilateral coordination to advance both countries’ shared vision and promote their development objectives.

In this regard, H.E. stressed the need to conclude the ratification process of the Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom to encourage bilateral investments from both nations’ public and private stakeholders.

His Excellency called on both sides to intensify efforts towards establishing a Joint Business Council between the Qatari and British Chambers of Commerce.

During the Committee’s proceedings, the two sides discussed the progress made in the recommendations of its second session, as well as the current projects and the expansion plans thereof.

 

The Joint Committee also tackled a number of issues related to enhancing economic, commercial, and investment cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including industry, agriculture, transportation, health, education, science, and technology.

 

The two sides agreed to take the necessary steps to move forward in consolidating trade and investment cooperation between the two countries to increase the volume of trade exchange between them, and to facilitate the flow of goods, services, and investments between the two countries.

In the conclusion of third session of Qatar-UK Joint Economic & Trade Committee, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry, and H.E. Mr. Ranil Jayawardena signed the minutes of the meeting in addition to signing an MoU between Qatar Development Bank and the UK Export Finance, signed by Mr. Abdulrahman Hesham Al Sowaidi, Acting CEO of Qatar Development Bank, and Mr. Vomic Shah, Global Head of Origination at UK Export Finance (UKEF).

-Ends-

#MOCIQATAR announces the necessity of entrepreneurs, traders and suppliers to respect religious values, customs and traditions, and to not display any goods, images, or visual or audio materials, that would violate Islamic values, public morals, customs and traditions.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, carried out a joint inspection campaign on a retail outlet operating without a commercial license in ahouse in Msheireb, in violation of Article No. (6) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection.

The inspection campaign resulted in issuing a violation against the retail outlet for displaying and selling counterfeit products and goods bearing international marks on social media platforms, as well as for practicing the commercial activity without obtaining the necessary licensing. The due legal measures were taken against the violators.  

These inspection campaigns are part of the Ministry’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities across Qatar, and control prices, as well as detect abuses, and commodities that are falsified, counterfeit, or non-conforming to standard specifications.

Violating Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection exposes perpetrators to penalties ranging from administrative closure to financial fines between three thousand and one million Qatari Riyals.

In this regard, the Ministry stressed that it would not tolerate any negligence in terms of meeting obligations stipulated in law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection and its executive bylaws.

The Ministry is working to intensify its inspection campaigns to control violating practices, and to refer violators of laws and Ministerial decisions to the competent authorities to take the due measures.

The Ministry also urges all citizens and residents to report any violations or infractions through the following channels:

– Call Centre: 16001

– The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s social media accounts:

        – Twitter @MOCIQATAR

        – Instagram MOCIQATAR

His Excellency Mr Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, met with Ambassador Hasan Kleib,Deputy Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and his accompanying delegation, currently visiting Qatar.

The meeting touched on various cooperation aspects between Qatar and WIPO, and discussed strengthening the partnership between the two sides. The convening parties sought to evaluate the implementation of joint projects and programmes, as well as future opportunities to enhance partnerships and mechanisms to support and develop national intellectual property (IP) policies and competencies.

Furthermore, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industryextended Qatar’s appreciation to WIPO for its support in developing IP policies and systems in the State of Qatar, particularly in terms of the development of the National IP Strategy, which capitalizes on the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the two sides.

The various joint projects aim to achieve the objectives in the State of Qatar’s national development plan, in line with the national economic policy. They also align with economic diversification policies and the transition to a knowledge-based economy within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030.

At the conclusion of the meeting, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry reiterated Qatar’s commitment and permanent support to WIPO in developing a balanced and effective international IP system that encourages innovation and creativity.

WIPO is a global forum for IP expertise, services, policy and cooperation. It provides technical assistance to its member states to help build relevant skills and capabilities. Moreover, WIPO is one of the oldest specialised United Nations agencies and one of the largest international organisations in Geneva.

The State of Qatar has been elected to chair the Executive Committee of the International Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Berne Union), affiliated to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), during  the proceedings of WIPO’s 63^rd Series of Meetings of the Assemblies, which took place on July 14-22, 2022 .

 

The Union members unanimously elected Mr. Ahmed Essa Al Sulaiti, Acting Director of the office of the State of Qatar to the World Trade Organization (WTO), as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Union for a period of two years. Moreover, representatives from the United States and Finland were elected as his deputies.

 

Electing the State of Qatar to chair the Executive Committee stems from the great interest that the State attaches to intellectual property issues. The Berne Union members have entrusted the State of Qatar with this position in recognition of the progress it has made in this strategic field.

 

For its part, the Executive Committee, together with the Berne Union, oversee the implementation of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works adopted in 1886, which deals with the protection of works and the rights of their authors. It provides creators with the means to control how their works are used, and on what terms.

 

It should be noted that WIPO is one of the oldest specialised United Nations agencies, and one of the largest international organisations in Geneva. It is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, and cooperation. With 193 member states, WIPO’s mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all.

His Excellency Mr Saleh bin Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Pham Quang Hieu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, who is currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislation, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Mr Saleh bin Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Pham Quang Hieu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, who is currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislation, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Mr Saleh bin Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Pham Quang Hieu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, who is currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislation, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Mr Saleh bin Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Pham Quang Hieu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, who is currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Assistant Undersecretary for Commerce Affairs highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislation, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

Doha – Wednesday, June 29, 2022:

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Kanchana Wijesekera, Minister of Power & Energy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the accompanying delegation currently visiting the country.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

 

-Ends

His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, chaired the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the 62nd Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Trade Cooperation Committee, convened at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

The meeting discussed a number of topics and issues of common interest related to trade cooperation between the GCC states, in addition to previewing the recommendations made by the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Commerce in the GCC at the preparatory meetings and taking the appropriate decisions in this regard.

 

Moreover, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry took part in a bilateral meeting with Their Excellencies the Ministers of Commerce in the GCC states and Her Excellency Mrs. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Secretary of State for International Trade in the United Kingdom.

 

Additionally, His Excellency the Undersecretary of Commerce and Industry and Their Excellencies Ministers of Commerce in the GCC member states witnessed a signing ceremony to launch free trade negotiations between the GCC states and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

Signed by H.E. Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf. Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and H.E. Ms. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Secretary of State for International Trade in the UK, the signing will further strengthen the economic and trade relations that will serve common interests.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, conducted a joint inspection campaign, on retail outlets in the fodder market in Abu Nakhla, in order to follow up on establishments’ compliance to special requirements on providing and selling fodder, and to ensure the stability of prices.

Covering 62 shops, the inspection campaign resulted in releasing 8 violations against a number of fodder retail outlets. Violations ranged from non-compliance with the requirements of contracting with shops and central markets, and the failure of shops to provide their services to consumers through the staff of the facility itself.

Moreover, 44 violating workers were arrested, and they were referred to the competent authorities at the Ministry of Interior to take legal action against them.

These inspection campaign comes within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to protect consumers’ rights by maintaining price stability, controlling markets, cracking down on abuses and commodities that are falsified, counterfeit, or non-conforming to standard specifications, in addition to ensuring the implementation of the Consumer Protection Law by placing price tags and information on goods, as well as issuing invoices.

In this regard, the Ministry stressed that it would not tolerate any negligence in terms of meeting obligations stipulated in law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection and its executive bylaws.

The Ministry is working to intensify its inspection campaigns to control violating practices, and to refer violators of laws and Ministerial decisions to the competent authorities to take the due measures.

The Ministry also urges all citizens and residents to report any violations or infractions through the following channels:

– Call Centre: 16001

– The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s social media accounts:

– Twitter @MOCIQATAR

– Instagram MOCIQATAR

His Excellency Mr Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in a roundtable entitled: ‘Road to Resilience: Improving Global Supply Chains’, within the framework of the Qatar Economic Forum, Powered Bloomberg, taking place until Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

The roundtable saw the participation of  H.E. Mrs Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, State of Qatar, H.E. Mrs Atifete Jahjaga, former President of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Jozef Síkela, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, Mr Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO, Acme United Corporation, Mr Sumit Vakil, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder, Resilinc, Mr Francisco J. Sànchez, Partner, Holland & Knight, Mr Daniel Laverick, Chief Digital and Data Officer, Zuellig Pharma, and Mr Sunil Veetil, Head of Global Trade and Receivable Finance for MENAT, HSBC.

During his intervention in the meeting, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry touched on the challenges witnessed by global supply chains in light of the preventive measures that were imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, as well as other geopolitical crises that weighed heavily on global supply chains. In this regard, His Excellency Mr Al Khater pointed to the necessity of establishing solutions that contribute to preserving the rules of the global economy in a way that supports the flow of international trade and investment.

Food security is of paramount importance to the State of Qatar, who is taking measures to ensure that global supply chain disruptions do not affect the quality of life, both in Qatar and abroad, His Excellency pointed out.

In the context of his talk about previous experiences that can be leveraged to reduce supply chain difficulties, His Excellency highlighted the efforts of the State of Qatar to continue implementing its development plans aimed at achieving its National Vision in all priority sectors. His Excellency Mr Al Khater referred in this regard to the initiatives aimed at supporting Qatar’s agricultural sector, which contribute to increasing production to meet local market needs. Moreover, the State of Qatar has succeeded in achieving self-sufficiency in several basic foodstuffs, including milk, dairy products, and poultry.

His Excellency added that these initiatives contributed to supporting the national economy, referring to the country’s logistical and warehousing capabilities and infrastructure that were designed according to the highest international standards, especially shipping lines, and air freight services, aimed at enhancing access to global markets.

In this regard, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry said, “We have set in place, early on, a strategy to develop all factors related to imports and supply chains. This includes the development of key infrastructure projects such as Hamad Port, which […] acts as one of the prominent ports in the Middle East.”

Additionally, His Excellency Mr Al Khater spoke of the industrial strategy adopted by the State to devise solutions to the challenges associated with global shifts, including the repercussions of the pandemic. The strategy in question aims to revitalize and diversify national industries and strengthen supply chains, His Excellency Mr Al Khater explained.

The State of Qatar played an active role in supporting working groups aimed at enhancing the World Trade Organization’s response to trade challenges in the agricultural sector during the pandemic period, His Excellency added, pointing out that the State had made sure not to impose restrictions on exports of agricultural foodstuffs allocated for the United Nations World Food Program.

His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry also touched on the role of advanced technology in supporting supply chains in the short and long terms. His Excellency pointed a spotlight at the efforts exerted by Qatar over the past years to raise its strategic stock of food and strategic commodities. To this end, the State has established an electronic system to manage and control the country’s strategic stock, and also devised plans and programs to secure foodstuffs for citizens and residents and confront various challenges that impede the flow of food and consumer goods to local markets, His Excellency further said. Moreover, the State developed mechanisms to speed up the response to any emergency conditions.

Moreover, all concerned authorities in Qatar have worked to develop a number of programs and projects related to building a knowledge-based economy, by developing a strategy for scientific activities and innovation, putting in place incentives and financing mechanisms, raising productivity, preparing an operational model that supports innovation, establishing platforms and databases for scientific research and innovation, and strengthening cooperation with relevant international organizations, His Excellency Mr Al Khater pointed out.

His Excellency the Undersecretary touched on the ‘Technology and Innovation Support Centres’ initiative launched by the State, in coordination with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), government agencies, and a number of private sector institutions, in aims at enhancing innovators’ access to patents. Additionally, His Excellency spoke of Law No. (10) of 2020 on the Protection of Industrial Designs, which aims to protect the formal aspects of industrial innovations. His Excellency also touched on Qatar’s efforts to join a number of international agreements that represent the highest international standards in the field of intellectual property protection and innovation, including the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, the Patent Law Convention, and the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs.

The State of Qatar has also launched a program to attract major investors in the international arena, as part of the National Manufacturing Strategy (2018-2022) initiatives, His Excellency said, further pointing out that in this regard, Qatar had worked hand-in-hand with the Investment Promotion Agency to prepare 25 industrial projects across the seven strategic sectors identified in the strategy.

At the conclusion of his intervention, His Excellency Mr Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, stressed that Qatar’s support for innovation, research, development, and knowledge has contributed to enhancing the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Moreover, effort are underway to enhance the State’s investments in diversifying local and global supply chains, by developing infrastructure and adopting the latest digital and logistical technologies and tools, His Excellency further pointed out.

Moderated by Mrs Haslinda Amin, Anchor, Bloomberg Television, the roundtable touched on the current challenges in global supply chains and the prospects of globalization in light of the labour shortages, the international fragmentation of production, and geopolitical tensions that interfere with the free flow of goods. Additionally, the roundtable featured discussing ways to recalibrate economic systems to be more resilient to enhance States’ ability to adapt to various changes, as well as consolidate trade’s role as an engine of global development and prosperity.

The State of Qatar is hosting the second edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, over three days, under the slogan ‘Equalizing the Global Recovery’, with the participation of a number of heads, state leaders, official figures, senior officials, decision makers, and more than 500 business leaders from around the world, and featuring over 75 keynote speakers.

The Forum’s current edition highlights a number of global topics and issues, including: achieving equality in the long-term global economic recovery equation, the future of global markets and prospects for globalization, ways to support global supply chains, sports from a business perspective, transformations in the energy sector and the green economy, and mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, participated in the proceedings of a session entitled ‘A New Era for Globalization’, conducted within the framework of the second edition of Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg.

 

During his intervention in the session, H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Industry touched on the role of leadership the age of disruption and how the said role has changed in the post-pandemic stage. During the post-pandemic stage, world countries have become aware of weaknesses in global supply chains, and in their resilience to crises and disruptions, His Excellency noted, further explaining that the realization in question had given rise to a certain degree of protectionism, a phenomenon that has been on the rise in the pre-pandemic stage.

 

 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for disruption, especially in two areas: medical goods and vaccine materials, which witnessed a huge increase in the trade volume, and the high levels of digital trade, which has already been increasing for years owing to technology (high speed Internet, mobile phones, etc.), His Excellency stated. However, the pandemic contributed to accelerating this growth, His Excellency further explained, noting in this regard that the share of digitally-delivered services had increased from 54% in 2019 to 64% in 2020.

 

His Excellency stressed that the only real solution to confront global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic required multilateral measures, pointing out in this regard that a functional multilateral system offered a chance to solve global problems, including epidemics, climate change, cybersecurity issues, etc.

 

Food security is of paramount importance to the State of Qatar, so it has taken the necessary measures to ensure that global supply chain disruptions do not affect the quality of life of Qatar’s residents and the people who need it abroad, His Excellency pointed out.

 

In the context of talking about the mechanisms of revitalizing globalization, His Excellency stressed the importance of maintaining an effective global trading system that is transparent and predictable. The free trade flow not only allows countries with competitive advantages to participate in global trade, but also plays a role in bringing people together and connecting them to each other, His Excellency explained.

 

 

As an open economy, Qatar views trade and investments as a priority, His Excellency added, expressing in this regard his aspiration to enhance cooperation with trading partners in areas that can enhance the State’s economic competitiveness and investment attractiveness, at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

 

In terms of environmental, social and corporate governance practices, His Excellency pointed out that despite the benefits of globalization to the global economy, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a lack of resilience in companies’ supply chains due to their lean business practices, driven by their goals of maximizing profits and reducing costs by any means.

 

Qatar has identified environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) practices as a main focus in many sectors and industries, namely: the Qatar Stock Exchange launched the first sustainability platform in the region to encourage listed companies to disclose their reports on sustainable development (ESG); FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22), the operational arm for the delivery of the tournament, achieved the ISO 20121 certification, becoming the first FIFA World Cup in history to do so; and the North Field Expansion will include the largest of its kind carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility to capture CO2 emissions from the project, His Excellency further said.

 

On global and local investments, His Excellency noted that according to UNCTAD, foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the State of Qatar showed an improvement of about $1.35 billion. Additionally, specialized studies in this regard show that the State of Qatar has attracted a total of $1.3 billion of foreign investments in 2021, compared to $846 million in 2020, His Excellency further said.

 

At the conclusion of his intervention, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry stressed that despite the efforts made to create a resilient, self-sufficient economy, capable of meeting the needs of its residents, the COVID-19 pandemic rang as a reminder of the need for multilateral efforts to resolve any situation that hinders the current global trading system.

 

Moreover, His Excellency underscored the fact that a well-functioning multilateral trading system offers an opportunity to resolve problems in an inclusive and transparent manner that preserves developing countries’ rights, especially LDCs, to have access to economic growth, and an increased contribution to global trade.

 

Moderated by Ms Stephanie Flanders, Senior Executive Editor, Bloomberg, the panel discussion entitled ‘A New Era of Globalization’ aims to shed light on ways to defend global free trade, especially after many governments had abandoned support for this kind of trade even before the COVID-19 outbreak. The session touched on the new economic thinking that governments can adopt to revitalize globalization for the modern world.

 

The session was attended by Mr Bob Moritz, Global Chairman, PwC, and  Mr Ferit F. Şahenk, Chairman & CEO, Dogus Group.

 

It is worth noting that the State of Qatar is hosting the second edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, over three days, under the slogan ‘Equalizing the Global Recovery’, with the participation of a number of heads of State, State leaders, official figures, senior officials, decision makers, and more than 500 business leaders from around the world, in addition to featuring over 75 keynote speakers.

The agenda of the Forum’s current edition highlights a number of global topics and issues, including: achieving equality in the long-term global economic recovery equation; the future of global markets and prospects for globalization; ways to support global supply chains; sports from a business perspective; transformations in the energy sector and the green economy; and mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry organized the annual forum for public shareholding companies listed in the Qatar Stock Exchange, in the presence of representatives from the Qatar Stock Exchange, the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), the Qatar Central Securities Depository Company (QCSD), and the Qatar Institute of Certified Public Accountants, in addition to owners and representatives of public shareholding companies and a number of entrepreneurs and interested individuals, as well as local and international accounting offices and companies operating in Qatar.

The Forum comes within the framework of the Ministry’s keenness to facilitate conducting investment and commercial business in Qatar, and provide all means of assistance to commercial companies. These efforts pour into raising the level of confidence in the Qatari business environment, and enhancing partnership with the private sector, thus leading to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030, equipped with a competitive, diversified, and sustainable economy.

The Forum, which featured a statement by a Ministry of Commerce and Industry representative, highlighted the importance of shareholding companies to the national economy. Moreover, it introduced the key amendments to Law No. (8) of 2021 Amending Some Provisions of Law No. (11) of 2015 Promulgating the Commercial Companies Law, in addition to showcasing the process of updating shareholders’ information at QCSD, and holding general assemblies for public shareholding companies listed electronically in accordance with the provisions of the Commercial Companies Law.

 

Also during the Forum, the Ministry previewed the services it provides to the public shareholding companies listed in the Qatar Stock Exchange, and showcased its efforts to develop and upgrade them, as well as enhance means of communication with them. Among these services is the attendance and supervision of the employees of the Ministry’s Companies Affairs Department of public and private joint stock companies’ ordinary and extraordinary general assemblies.

At the end of the Forum, officials of the Ministry, the Qatar Stock Exchange, QFMA, and QCSD responded to the participants’ inquiries about a number of topics related to public shareholding companies listed in the Qatar Stock Exchange, and their relations to the four aforementioned entities. Topics also touched on how the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Stock Exchange, QFMA, and QCSD can strengthen cooperation and coordination between them to serve the work of listed companies and hone their performance to enhance their role in the economic process.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the side-lines of the second edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, taking place in Doha on June 20-22, 2022.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry. Moreover, the officials exchanged views on the topics on the Forum’s agenda.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Alibek Kuantyrov, Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the side-lines of the second edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, taking place in Doha on June 20-22, 2022.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry. Moreover, the officials exchanged views on the topics on the Forum’s agenda.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, has met with Mr. Scott Havens, CEO of Bloomberg Media, who is visiting the country to participate in Qatar Economic Forum.

 

During the meeting, arrangements of the forum were discussed, and views were exchanged on the topics on its agenda.

 

In addition, they discussed prospects for cooperation in areas of common interest, highlighting the investment incentives provided by the Qatari economy, as well as the initiatives launched by the state to support the private sector and attract foreign investments.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, accompanied a delegation of senior officials on a tour of Al Thumama Stadium, during their visit to learn about Qatar’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. This tour is part of the Qatar Economic Forum program.

 

The delegation, including His Excellency Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Republic of Togo, along with a number of dignitaries, including Mr. Scott Havens, CEO of Bloomberg Media, a large number of the Higher Organizing Committee of the Second Qatar Economic Forum 2022, representatives of diplomatic missions in Qatar, and CEOs of a number of Banks and major local and international companies, in addition to a large group of representatives of the local and international media, was briefed on the various facilities of Al Thumama Stadium and its readiness to host the World Cup matches.

Located 12 kilometers south of the heart of Doha, Al Thumama Stadium will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches from the group stage matches up to the quarter-finals. The design of the stadium was inspired by the gahfiya, the traditional woven head cap worn by men and boys across the Arab world.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Mr Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, inaugurated the tenth edition of Cityscape Qatar 2022, taking place at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre (DECC), on June 20-22, 2022.

After the inauguration, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, toured the exhibition, viewing the various participating departments and pavilions, as well as the latest developments, services, and investment opportunities provided by participating companies and entities.

 

In this context, H.E. Mr Al-Khater stressed the importance of Cityscape Qatar 2022, pointing out that it represented an important platform showcasing the development witnessed by the real estate sector in Qatar, especially in light of the projected positive growth indicators of the national economy, and the recovery of real estate markets during the coming period.

 

The State’s interest in Cityscape reflects its belief in the pivotal role played by the real estate sector in supporting the diversity and competitiveness of the national economy, as well as in achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, H.E. Mr Al-Khater said, pointing out that this event had become an important attraction for investors looking to diversify their investment portfolios.

 

H.E. Mr Al-Khater moreover expressed his aspiration that this event would achieve tangible results, consolidating Qatar’s position as an ideal destination for real estate investment in the region.

It is worth mentioning that Cityscape aims to shed light on the most prominent real estate projects across Qatar, as well as provide a platform for communication between residence buyers, investors, and specialists in the field of design and construction in the real estate sector.

 

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with His Excellency Mr Jozef Síkela, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, who is currently visiting Qatar to take part in the Qatar Economic Forum.

 

The meeting featured previewing topics of common interest, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in terms of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al–Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met with Her Excellency Mrs Nevine Gamea, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Arab Republic of Egypt, who is currently visiting Qatar to take part in the Qatar Economic Forum.

 

The meeting featured previewing topics of common interest, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in terms of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

Last May, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry carried out extensive inspection campaigns to monitor the extent to which suppliers (retail outlets) comply with their obligations stipulated in the laws and Ministerial decisions on consumer protection, within the framework of the Ministry’s keen efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities across Qatar, in a bid to control prices and uncover violations so as to protect consumer rights.

The inspection campaigns resulted in releasing (188) different violations that included: failure to guarantee that the performed service during a period of time is commensurate with the nature of that service, to refund the amount paid by the recipient of the service, or to perform it again in an appropriate manner; making promotional offers without obtaining the required licensing from the competent department; describing or advertising the commodity in a manner that includes deceptive information; failure to write all the explanatory information about the displayed commodity; failure to comply with the mandatory price bulletin of vegetables and fruits; and failure to announce prices, and charging prices higher than those announced.  

Penalties imposed on retail outlets included administrative closures and fines ranging between QAR 5,000 and QAR 30,000, as per the laws and decisions regulating the work of the Consumer Protection Department.

No.	Violation Type	Number
1	Failure to display prices	10
2	Failure to display prices in Arabic	5
3	Failure to issue invoices	1
4	Failure to issue invoices in Arabic	7
5	Failure to issue complete invoices	4
6	Failure to offer an Arabic version of the information on displayed commodities	2
7	Failure to clearly define the service information, features, characteristics, and pricing	1
8	Failure to provide a detailed monthly report on presenting prizes under a promotional offer, as of the draw date and until delivering the last prize	1
9	Failure to provide spare parts for durable goods within a specified period of time, and failure to provide the announced or agreed-upon guarantees	1
10	Failure to comply with the mandatory price bulletin of vegetables and fruits	12
11	Failure to write all the explanatory information about the displayed commodity	13
12	Failure to guarantee that the performed service during a period of time is commensurate with the nature of that service, to refund the amount paid by the recipient of the service, or to perform it again in an appropriate manner	42
13	Non-compliance with the form and format of the promotion advertisement approved by the competent department	4
14	Failure to comply with the discounted prices issued by the department due to using misleading or deceptive information	2
15	Failure to commit to making draws in the presence of a judicial officer, knowing that draws should be made publicly at the time and place specified in the license issued	1
16	Using subsidized flour extract (77%) in producing kinds of bread other than the Arabic and local bread	1
17	Making a promotional offer without obtaining the necessary license from the competent department	25
18	Offering a discount without obtaining the necessary license from the competent department	8
19	Imposing the purchase of a commodity in certain quantities, or the purchase of another commodity alongside of it	7
20	Describing the commodity, advertising it, or displaying it in a manner that contains false information	19
21	Charging a higher price than that announced	9
22	Increasing prices without obtaining the necessary approvals from the competent Authorities	7
23	Expired products	6
Total		188

The authorities concerned with consumer protection at the Ministry received a number of complaints last May. They were dealt with, and necessary measures to resolve them were taken.

In this regard, the Ministry stressed that it would not tolerate any negligence in terms of meeting obligations stipulated in law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection and its executive bylaws.

The Ministry is working to intensify its inspection campaigns to control violating practices, and to refer violators of laws and Ministerial decisions to the competent authorities to the needed due measures.

The Ministry also urges all citizens and residents to report any violations or infractions through the following channels:

– Call Center: 16001

– The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s social media accounts:

        – Twitter @MOCIQATAR

        – Instagram MOCIQATAR

Thursday, June 16, 2022:

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, met today with His Excellency Ing Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, Minister of Trade and Industry of Sierra Leone, who is currently visiting Qatar.

 

The meeting featured previewing issues of common interest aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade, investment, and industry.

 

During the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry highlighted the successful economic policies Qatar has put in place to support the private sector, and pointed out the incentives, legislations, and promising opportunities that are aimed at encouraging investors, businessmen, and business owners to invest in Qatar.

 

 

-Ends-

 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in coordination with the House of Wisdom & Arbitration for Law in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and featuring the participation of the authorized agents of 44 international brands, carried out a field training for the judicial control officers at the Ministry, to provide them with modern methods and means, as well as the key ways used to distinguish between the original and counterfeit goods.

This workshop has been organized as the Ministry, represented by the Consumer Protection and Combating Commercial Fraud Department, is keen to enhance the expertise of its judicial officers, develop their capabilities, and provide them with new methods and means to distinguish between the original and counterfeit goods of all kinds and forms.

The participating judicial control officers carried out surprise inspection campaigns on gold, jewelry, and precious watches shops at the Gold Souq and one of the shopping centers in Doha.

The said campaigns resulted in releasing 39 violations, for displaying and selling counterfeit gold jewelry bearing international brands. This practice comes in violation of Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection, in which Article (6) states: “No defective or adulterated commodity shall be sold, displayed, presented, promoted, or advertised. The commodity shall be deemed to be adulterated or defective where it does not conform to the prescribed standard specifications, is unfit for use, or has expired.”

The Ministry urges all citizens and residents to report any violations or infractions through the following channels:

– Call Center: 16001

– The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s social media accounts:

        – Twitter @MOCIQATAR

        – Instagram MOCIQATAR

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Prosecution represented by the Cybercrime Department, seized 12 accounts on a social media platform (Instagram) that display and sell counterfeit products and goods bearing international brands, in violation of Article No. (6) of Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection. The necessary measures were taken against violators.  

These inspection campaigns are part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities across Qatar, and control prices, as well as detect abuses, and commodities that are falsified, counterfeit, or non-conforming to standard specifications.

Violating Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection exposes perpetrators to penalties ranging from administrative closure to financial fines between three thousand and one million Qatari Riyals.

In this regard, the Ministry stressed that it would not tolerate any negligence in terms of meeting obligations stipulated in law No. (8) of 2008 and its executive bylaws.

The Ministry is working to intensify its inspection campaigns to control violating practices, and to refer violators of laws and Ministerial decisions to the competent authorities to take the due measures.

The Ministry also urges all citizens and residents to report any violations or infractions through the following channels:

– Call Center: 16001

– The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s social media accounts:

        – Twitter @MOCIQATAR

        – Instagram MOCIQATAR

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, conducted an inspection campaign on factories in the new industrial area, in order to monitor the extent to which suppliers comply with Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection.

These inspection campaigns are part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities across Qatar, and control prices, as well as detect abuses, and commodities that are falsified, counterfeit, or non-conforming to standard specifications.

The inspection campaign resulted in the seizure of a factory that tampered with the country of origin, and sold counterfeit goods, such as LED lamps, in violation of Article No. (6) of Law No. (8) of 2008 regarding Consumer Protection. 2080 samples were seized, and 50 samples were recalled.

Violating Law No. (8) of 2008 on Consumer Protection exposes perpetrators to penalties ranging from administrative closure to financial fines between three thousand and one million Qatari Riyals.

In this regard, the Ministry stressed that it would not tolerate any negligence in terms of meeting obligations stipulated in law No. (8) of 2008 and its executive bylaws.

The Ministry is working to intensify its inspection campaigns to control violating practices, and to refer violators of laws and Ministerial decisions to the competent authorities to take the due measures.

The Ministry also urges all citizens and residents to report any violations or infractions through the following channels:

– Call Center: 16001

– The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s social media accounts:

        – Twitter @MOCIQATAR

        – Instagram MOCIQATAR