The Ministry of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the "National Product Week" today, 23 February 2025, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of national industries and encouraging consumers to support national products, thereby contributing to national sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Saleh Majed Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, stated that the National Product Week is one of the key initiatives aimed to support the national industrial sector. He emphasised that the event highlights the quality of Qatari products and enhances their competitiveness in local and regional markets. He added that the initiative reflects the Ministry's commitment to supporting the industrial sector in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Mr. Al-Khulaifi noted that the initiative is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors, enabling local companies to showcase their products and highlight their competitive advantage. The event also demonstrates the achievements across various industrial sectors, bolstering the national economy and competitiveness of local products, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
He further explained that, through the National Manufacturing Strategy 2024-2030, the Ministry is implementing 15 key initiatives, encompassing more than 60 developmental projects to enhance industrial efficiency and foster investments in the sector. The strategy aspires to raise the industrial sector’s contribution to the national economy, boost the value of non-hydrocarbon exports and improve Qatar’s ranking in the Industrial Competitiveness Index.
Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sayed, Director of the National Competitive Product Support Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, explained that the initiative seeks to enhance the competitiveness of local companies and factories, thereby contributing to economic sustainability. He noted that the initiative has delivered positive results in recent years, with retail outlets reporting a 75% increase in national product sales during the previous reporting period.
Mr. Al-Sayed added that the Ministry has also launched on its official website a section focused on the National Product. The portal allows local manufacturers to apply for the Qatari Product logo— a mark that reinforces the market position of local products. Additionally, the portal provides a channel for filing complaints on harmful trade practices and industrial obstacles, thus creating a fair and competitive environment, and enhancing the sustainability of national production.
He highlighted that recent years have seen a significant increase in the number of national products and factories. The number of national products rose from 1,727 in 2023 to 1,814 in 2024, reaching 1,815 this year. Similarly, the industrial sector experienced growth in the number of factories, with the total increasing by 58 in 2023 to 929, then to 993 in 2024, and lately, one additional factory was registered in 2025, bringing the total number to 994.
The opening ceremony was attended by government agencies and private sector representatives, and featured a presentation on national products and comprised specialised workshops; including a workshop on "Combating Harmful Trade Practices" presented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and a "Project Development Services" workshop organised by Qatar Development Bank.
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry continues empowering the private sector, building consumer confidence in national products, and encouraging the growth and expansion of SMEs locally and internationally.
