Background: Inviting the Chamber to learn about the problems of the private sector
Al-Emadi: Supporting entrepreneurs and encouraging small and medium enterprises
Ibrahim: Achieving food security and securing the state’s needs
Economists and businessmen presented a number of economic files before the new Minister of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, the most prominent of which are 5 files: supporting and stimulating the private sector and increasing its contribution to development and the economy, achieving food security, and increasing exports abroad, in addition to… The contracting companies file and supporting this vital sector by entering foreign markets and obtaining new projects and businesses, and the fifth file is supporting entrepreneurs and encouraging small and medium enterprises.
At the beginning, businessman and economic expert Ahmed Al-Khalaf says that we congratulate all the new ministers for their appointment to their new duties that will serve the community and the people. We also extend our thanks to the former ministers who made great efforts in serving the nation and society, and we wish success to all.
Al-Khalaf adds that the first proposed file on the table of the new Minister of Trade and Industry is to support and stimulate the private sector, by supporting its role in development and the complete economic cycle of the state.
A major role for the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry
He explains that in the next stage we expect a major role for the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry in activating this file and increasing its role in proportion to the strength of the Qatari economy, defending the interests of the private sector and interacting more with the ministry.
He adds that the new minister is required to know the opinions of the various commercial, service and production sectors, the difficulties they face and how to activate their role to increase production. There are points of view worth learning about and we hope that His Excellency the new minister will meet with the various business sectors so that these meetings are periodic, with the aim of increasing the economic cycle. Listening to the difficulties facing these sectors and resolving them in cooperation with business councils and the Qatar Chamber.
Al-Khalaf confirms that Qatar has a strong infrastructure in all sectors, and also has a strategic geographical location, which supports the private sector in expanding regionally and globally, and therefore needs the support and stimulation of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Regarding the procedures required during the coming period, Al-Khalaf explains that the most important of them is to invite the Qatar Chamber to meet with it to learn about the difficulties and problems facing the private sector and to form follow-up committees for the results of these meetings.
He confirms that there is an important file before the Minister of Commerce, which is the contracting sector, which is currently witnessing a recession after the completion of the Qatar 2022 World Cup projects, as there was a major boom in this sector before the World Cup, and it is natural for the sector to head into recession after this boom, so this recession must be addressed. Activating the benefit of this sector’s expertise by heading towards the external market in Iraq, Lebanon and Gaza, all of which are markets that need new reconstruction projects, and therefore the role of the state is important in activating this role abroad by facilitating investment abroad.
Encouraging food industries
Financial expert Ibrahim Al-Hajj Eid presents another file before the Minister of Trade and Industry, which is achieving strategic food security, securing the state’s needs for food supplies, and activating the warehouses and warehouses that are currently being set up for this role.
He adds that the state is currently making great efforts to achieve food security and provide local food products and materials by encouraging food industries, leading to export abroad after the Qatari industry has proven its worth at home, especially the food and petrochemical industries, as they are among the priority industries in Qatar during this stage. current.
Ibrahim Eid explains that His Excellency the new Minister of Commerce will complete the role of the previous minister in stimulating the economy, increasing production and exports abroad, achieving food security, supporting the role of the private sector by solving its problems, and undertaking new initiatives to activate the role of entrepreneurs and increase it in economic development by facilitating procedures and supporting small projects. And medium.
He confirms that investment in Qatar is fully sponsored by the state, as industrial projects are exempt from customs duties on raw materials, semi-manufactured materials, and equipment necessary for production that are not available in local markets. The necessary lands may be allocated to the investor to establish his investment project. Importing what is needed to establish, operate, or expand the project.
Projects are also exempt from customs duties on the machinery and equipment needed for their construction. Projects may also be granted additional incentives and benefits beyond what is stipulated in the law. Investments are not subject to expropriation or any measure of similar effect, with the freedom to transfer funds in any convertible currency, with the freedom to make all project-related transfers to and from abroad without delay.
It is permissible to invest in all economic sectors at a rate exceeding 49% of the companies’ capital, up to 100%.
Priority industrial sectors
For his part, businessman Abdul Aziz Al-Emadi, former Vice President of the Qatar Chamber, emphasizes the role of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in supporting young entrepreneurs and encouraging small and medium enterprises, in cooperation with various government agencies, whether the Ministry of Commerce or the Ministry of Finance.
He added that the National Strategy for Manufacturing Industries of the State of Qatar aims to accelerate growth in the strategic manufacturing sector as an engine for development and economic diversification.
There are a number of priority projects, the most important of which are: water desalination, classroom environment solutions, natural gas processing, pharmaceutical industries, and aluminum
Plastic products, 3D printing, food and beverage products, chemicals (polymers)
He explains that the private sector is an essential partner in economic development in the country, and therefore the role of the Ministry of Trade and Industry will increase during the coming period, through cooperation and coordination with the Chamber of Commerce and identifying the difficulties facing the private sector and resolving these problems with the speed required to complete business.
“Business Map of the State of Qatar”
For its part, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry highlighted the services of the “Business Map of the State of Qatar” portal, available on the Ministry’s website, as part of its efforts to support the private sector, empower entrepreneurs, facilitate procedures for establishing companies, and improve the business services system in the country.
The “Business Map” portal is a wide database that includes the investment features of various regions of the country and allows its users to view private and basic data on economic establishments in the State of Qatar.
The portal provides a search service for commercial establishments located in a specific area. It also includes statistics on available commercial activities and the most commonly used commercial activities, statistical data on the number of commercial licenses registered in each municipality, and the most recent commercial establishments registered in the country.
The Business Map Portal also provides a service for verifying data on commercial records and licenses for concerned authorities, whereby a quick response code (QR Code) is inserted on the extracts issued from the single window at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in order to facilitate access to data of commercial records and licenses and verify their authenticity and validity. Users of the Business Map Portal can search for active commercial establishments in a specific area, and view the various commercial activities available and the most frequently used commercial activities.
Market analysis and business strategy development
The Business Map Portal is an interactive and easy-to-use tool for analyzing the market and developing business strategies, as well as providing diverse and educational content on various aspects of the business sector, marketing and project management by displaying examples of case studies of successful companies.
The portal also provides a platform for communication and interaction between entrepreneurs to share experiences and ideas, which contributes to consolidating the spirit of innovation and creativity among entrepreneurs and investors and enables them to establish new projects that meet the needs of the market.
The Business Map Portal for the State of Qatar aims to provide a database for entrepreneurs and investors, which will support them and facilitate their access to targeted customers, help them choose the ideal location to establish a business project, choose the ideal commercial activity, and facilitate the identification of competitors’ locations and residential areas, in addition to analyzing the location to find out the base. Target customers and measure the feasibility of doing business in a region.