"1000 Opportunities Initiatives" Enhances the Role of the Private Sector: Qatar Chamber

Qatar Chamber

Qatar Chamber Chairman HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani praised the "1000 Opportunities Initiative" which was launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry during the "National Product Week", noting that it allows local investors to obtain investment opportunities offered by major foreign and local companies operating in Qatar.

The initiative offers an opportunity for small and medium-sized companies to develop their products and services and become more competitive in the Qatari market, Sheikh Khalifa said on the sidelines of inaugurating the National Product Week. He added that will be of a good advantage to the private sector to play larger role in the economic activity.

His Excellency also pointed out that the national product has proven efficiency in the local market and foreign markets as well, stressing that local products have become more competitive with imported products in terms of price and quality, which contributed to raising the rates of increasing the states self-sufficiency.

QC Chairman also lauded the efforts made by the Ministry to support the local market, especially SMEs, affirming that this will reflect positively on the national economy.

He also confirmed the Ministrys role in enhancing communication between SMEs and government bodies, praising the interest of government entities to increase their purchases of locally manufactured products.

Earlier today, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) inaugurated the events of the National Product Week, the first event of its kind in the state. During the inauguration, the launch of the 1,000 opportunities was launched.

Head of the department of business development and investment promotion at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the initiative consists of a platform that aims to facilitate the link between supply and demand when it comes to products and services. He added that the platform allows investors to see the opportunities available, highlighting that a number of companies have already provided opportunities in important sectors like construction, food products, retail, restaurants, hospitality, manufacturing, publishing, advertising, technology, among other sectors.

Meanwhile, director of the department of competitiveness at the ministry Abdulbasit Al Ajji told QNA that the invitation to participate in the National Product Week is extended to all operational companies and factories, with factories exceeding 800 in total. It also extends to the supporting bodies from the public and private sectors, he added. On self-sufficiency, he said that it varied in the country with different products. He highlighted however that the level of self-sufficiency reached 100 percent for some products.

Head of localization at QDB told QNA that highlighted the importance of the event in encouraging local producers to continue with their activities. He highlighted that the event was preceded by a number of initiatives that aimed to encourage local products like Government Procurement and Contracting Conference and Exhibition (Moushtarayat) among other events. (QNA)