In the presence of HE Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Minister of Business and Trade, the Third Monthly Discussion Panel for the Ministry of Business and Trade and Businessmen, was held this morning, Wednesday 25/04/2012 in the meeting hall at the Ministry Building.
The discussion panel was attended by HE Sheikh / Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar, HE Sheikh / Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani AL-Thani, Chairman and Managing Director of Gulf Bank, Sheikh / Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, Chairman and CEO of “Nasser Bin Khaled Holding,” in addition to a number of the ministry’s officials and Qatari Businessmen .
The session focused on the specifications and standards issue, and their performance in the state, in addition to the most prominent obstacles that hinder the development plans in this aspect.
His Excellency Sheikh / Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani opened the third discussion panel with the most prominent outputs that have been implemented among the recommendations of the second meeting’s discussions on the contracting companies, in addition to all what has been achieved so far, stressing on the need for concerted efforts between the government institutions and Qatari businessmen to boost business and trade and implement development plans in the state.
HE also stressed on the need for laboratories with high potential to examine the goods and apply the necessary tests to ensure their compliance with the international standards and specifications. HE stated that we need to monitor the deficiencies in the performance of some of the parties not belonging to the Ministry of Business and Trade and explain to them the importance of such actions and control, inviting them to meetings in order to discuss the possible solutions to address these deficiencies in performance and the ways to do so.
Their Excellences from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Businessmen Association discussed a number of obstacles they face in relation to the specifications and standards and the procedures being followed. They put then a set of recommendations and reforms to be applied such as possible establishment of private and governmental labs.
HE Sheikh / Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar, stated that the efforts of the Ministry of Business and Trade are very clear in this regard, pointing out that His Excellency the Minister expressed his full cooperation to provide all opportunities to support the Qatari businessmen and raise the most prominent proposals that serve the public benefit to the relevant authorities.
The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar added that these periodic meetings are clear evidence on the interest of the ministry, represented the Minister, with all aspects that may remove many of the constraints faced by traders in terms of standards and specifications.
In this aspect, Sheikh / Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, stressed that the goal of such discussion panels is the general benefit of the State, and expressed his hope to provide all means of support and cooperation between the trader, considered a consumer in the first place, and the Ministry of Business and Trade, especially with regards to the issue of standards and specifications. He added that several things and changes must be done in this regard, starting from administrative work, working hours and technical issues.