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Satyendra PathakDohaQatar has taken several initiatives to raise dependence on local products, reduce dependence on imports, and increase the efficiency and quality of the national product, Qatar Chamber (QC) Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani has said.In a report published in the latest edition of Qatar Chamber’s magazine Al Moltaqa, Sheikh Khalifa said that Qatari products have become more competitive than imported products in terms of price and quality.Praising the ‘1,000 Opportunities Initiative’ launched recently by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Sheikh Khalifa said that the initiative has opened new horizons for the private sector. It is an electronic platform that allows local investors to secure investment opportunities from major international and local companies operating in Qatar.He said, “The initiative allows the local investor to get acquainted with the existing and future projects and opportunities that will meet his needs, whether in terms of products or services provided by local private sector companies. It constitutes a positive step that contributes to providing important economic and investment opportunities for the industry sector which witnessed considerable development over the recent years.”He said that Qatar Chamber highly supports such initiatives that pave the way for the private sector to enhance its role in the economic activities of the country.Therefore, he said, the chamber recently hosted a seminar in collaboration with the MoCI to raise the awareness of the business community and QC members about this initiative and help them benefit from it.“There is no doubt that the ‘1,000 Opportunities Initiative’ is of special importance in enhancing the genuine partnership between the public and private sector, as well as activating the State’s business sectors, especially the SMEs to develop their products and services and become more competitive in the Qatari market,” he said.Undoubtedly, he said, this initiative will contribute to providing an attractive environment by localising supply chains, increasing the efficiency of service providers, as well as encouraging, localising, and transferring knowledge to the national product.“As part of its support for the private sector as a genuine partner in the State’s development process, the chamber encourages local companies to take advantage of this initiative, especially since the chamber strongly believes that the private sector should have a greater share in the investment opportunities available in the state after the great efficiency and leading role it showed during the COVID-19 crisis,” he said.In the same edition of the magazine, Qatar Chamber General Manager Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi said that Qatar adopted several leading steps and issued a series of legislation and laws that have contributed to creating a balanced working environment to support the labour market.“The reforms included the cancellation of exit permits for expatriates when leaving the country, allowing workers to change jobs freely without the need for employer’s consent, the establishment of minimum wages and the introduction of the Wage Protection System (WPS), as well as the inauguration of visa centres abroad and the establishment of labour dispute resolution committees,” Sharqi said.Other reforms included the development of a complaint system for migrant workers to facilitate achieving justice in the country, he said.Furthermore, he said, the government also adopted positive steps for improving workers’ occupational safety and health and issued a law mandating health insurance for all expatriates.
