In the presence of H.E. Mr. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Commerce and Industry, the Public Works Authority “Ashghal” in cooperation with Qatar Chamber has organised the virtual ‘Supporting Local Manufacturers Forum’. The event, which utilised video conferencing technology, featured the participation of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and took place on September 8, 2020.
The forum was part of the Ministry’s efforts to support local industries and enhance the competitiveness of local products on national, regional and international levels. It offered the opportunity for the private sector and local manufacturers to actively participate in government initiatives, especially Ashghal’s projects, which include the development of schools and health institutions, in addition to highways , infrastructure, sewerage and storm water drainage networks, treatment plants, and beautification projects.
H.E the Minister praised the role of Qatar Chamber and Ashghal in organising the forum, pointing to its significant role in highlighting the promising investment opportunities that the state offers to local manufacturers in all sectors, especially in construction, which has witnessed a significant expansion in recent years in light of the development projects related to the achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup projects.
The conference was attended by H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber; H.E. Dr Engineer Saad bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal); H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa; CEO of Qatar Development Bank (QDB); in addition to representatives of the government agencies and local manufacturers and investors.
In his speech, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Hassan Al-Malki, Assistant Undersecretary for Industry Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that the Ministry has worked with Ashghal in the preparation of the forum to determine targeted sectors, which include construction, minerals, chemicals, rubber, electrical equipment, machines, and transportation equipment.
He added that more than 100 factories will benefit from the forum. He also pointed out that the Ministry is currently working on organising similar events with other government agencies, and has held workshops with Qatar Airways in cooperation with QDB in order to enhance the ability of local manufacturers to fulfill the needs of the national carrier.
H.E. Mr. Al-Malki added that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is keen to support local products through the establishment of the National Products Competitiveness Support Departmnt. This entity is specialised in combating harmful practices against local products, and suggesting needed procedures and price pledges to maintain competitiveness in accordance with the law on supporting the competitiveness of national products at the international level. This law aims at encouraging industrial facilities to provide high-quality local products that are able to compete with imported products, with prices that match the needs of local market, H.E. said.
H.E explained that the National Products Competitiveness Support Department has organised a number of meetings with the different Ministries, as well as government and semi-government agencies, in order to enhance the competitiveness of national products by supporting their quality, in line with the specifications and standards determined by the recently launched “Qatar Quality Mark” system, and by determining the available opportunities in the tenders offered by government agencies to Qatari products.
H.E. said that Qatar’s focus on encouraging the growth of local industries and SMEs and increasing its contribution in the implementation and development of several economic projects has reflected positively on the industrial sector. The number of factories that are operating in Qatar reached 915 in 2020, a 17% increase compared to 2017, H.E. added.
During the forum, local manufacturers were introduced to Ashghal’s latest projects, and current and future requirements of different materials, and were encouraged to contribute to the implementation of the country’s projects and invest in priority industries.
The forum shed light on Ashghal’s initiatives to support local products and manufacturers, and some of the local materials that will be used in implementing Ashghal’s new projects were introduced in presentations. In addition, the “Ta’heel” initiative was introduced, explaining the registration process in the certified suppliers’ list, and highlighting local industries’ success stories.
Mr. Abdulbasit Al-Ajji, Director of the Supporting National Product Competitiveness Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, gave a presentation that shed light on its tasks and competencies of the department. He noted that the department applies optimal procedures to enhance the competitiveness of national products, conducts studies that aim to protect national products from negative practices, and responds to manufacturers’ complaints efficiently.
During the presentation, Mr. Al-Ajji mentioned the Ministry’s role in supporting and enabling local industries by communicating with government and semi-government authorities in order to support and enable local products and to help them overcome difficulties that face local manufacturers and factories.
The specialisations of the department include organising meetings and workshops between the public and private sectors; establishing a database and communication channels; conducting research and studies in factories and national products to reinforce their competitiveness against similar imported products; establishing a list of local industries and products that government and semi-government entities can benefit from in order to give them priority in tenders and procurement; and coordinating with Ashghal to enhance joint cooperation with local factories regarding the procurement of various materials that are used in the Ashghal’s projects.
