His Excellency Saleh Majid Al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in a panel discussion titled “Qatar’s Digital Transformation Ecosystem for the Manufacturing Sector”, held as part of Web Summit Qatar 2026.
The session showcased Qatar’s digital transformation ecosystem, with the participation of representatives from Qatar Development Bank, the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center affiliated with the Ministry of Finance, and Shell.
During the discussion, His Excellency outlined the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s priorities in supporting the digital transformation of the industrial sector, within the framework of implementing the Third National Development Strategy and the Qatar National Strategy for Manufacturing Industries. He emphasized the focus on enhancing the digital readiness of factories and promoting the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, contributing to improved operational efficiency and productivity, and strengthening the competitiveness of the industrial sector.
His Excellency noted the Ministry’s strong focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, pointing out that establishments adopting digital transformation solutions achieve, on average, productivity increases of 20–30%, improvements in turnaround time of 20–30%, faster time-to-market by 40–60%, and potential cost reductions of 10–20%. He added that the Ministry is working to empower these enterprises through the development of regulatory frameworks, the launch of supportive programs and initiatives, and the provision of incentive schemes that encourage investment in advanced digital solutions. This includes support for industrial assessment and diagnostic programs, most notably the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI), to enhance factories’ preparedness for the transition toward smart industry.
He further stressed the importance of strengthening integration between government entities and public- and private-sector institutions to build an integrated industrial ecosystem that supports innovation and advanced technology, and reinforces Qatar’s position as a regional hub for smart industries.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s participation in this session comes as part of its engagement in Web Summit Qatar 2026, reflecting its commitment to supporting industrial digital transformation, strengthening strategic partnerships, and advancing sustainable industrial development efforts, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
