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Qatar’s private sector companies will need to adapt and implement operational changes in their businesses including market developments, behaviour and selling methods in the post COVID-19 scenario.
This was the common refrain of community members during a recent webinar meeting of Pakistan Business Forum Doha (PBFD).
Welcoming the members, PBFD President Said Gul said the COVID-19 pandemic will bring structural changes in the business philosophy of most companies as well as the work practices.
The concept of online purchase will get a boost, especially for consumer items, which will bring down substantial overheads of companies. Only those companies will survive that are competitive and offer quality.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmad Hussain said a more realistic and practical approach towards business models is required with special focus on creating smart business environment. Also, business owners and investors will have to largely reduce expenses, he said, adding it’s high time to focus on IT, pharmaceuticals and packaging businesses whereas tourism and restaurant businesses have suffered a lot.
Pakistani exporters, he stressed, will enhance their exports to take full advantage of the Qatar government’s announcement of customs duty exemptions on food and medical products for a period of six months.
Mohammad Idrees Anwar lauded the QR75 billion package provided by the Qatari government to the private sector, which, he noted, is a decent move in the current testing times.
Various sectors including small industries are battling for survival due to the restrictions related to COVID-19. The incentive packages, including deferment of commercial rents, implementation of National Guarantee Programme for workers’ salary, and exemption of electricity and water charges for manufacturing companies, etc. provide short-term relief to companies that are facing the COVID-19 onslaught.
Addressing the participants, Riyaz Ahmad Bakali insisted that small and medium businesses are the backbone of the domestic economy and the stimulus package comprising economic incentives coupled with other benefits and support extended by the government would be of great help to cope up with the impact of the coronavirus. He praised the initiative of Qatar government to deploy medical scientists to develop vaccine for COVID-19 and wished Qatar to be among the pioneer countries to succeed.
Muhammad Khan and Rashid Butt said that “gradual and organised” return of business activities in the Industrial Area was a “pressing necessity” as it’s the hub of economic activities.
Israr Malazai, owner of multidiscipline businesses, said that despite the challenges faced by the private sector, every effort is being made to assist the government to control and contain the outbreak of COVID-19 to maximum the extent. Almost all private sector employers of the labour force are very well complying with rules and regulations announced by the concerned authorities. “We all are ensuring that every staff and worker must follow and adhere to the rules and guidelines to ensure that the disease does not spread any further,” remarked Malazai.
Meanwhile, leading Pakistani businessman and PBFD member Pervez Iqbal, who is presently stranded in Pakistan due to the COVID-19 situation, noted that though this pandemic is a curse for everyone, right from the governments and businesses to individuals, he persuaded Pakistani businessmen to consider it as a “blessing is disguise” if they avail themselves of the opportunities of export from Pakistan.
However, he noted that the private sector is currently suffering due to the consequences of COVID-19 and continued payment of salaries of workers and employees without making any profits and perhaps more challenges are in the offing for businesses in the next few months.
This was the common refrain of community members during a recent webinar meeting of Pakistan Business Forum Doha (PBFD).
Welcoming the members, PBFD President Said Gul said the COVID-19 pandemic will bring structural changes in the business philosophy of most companies as well as the work practices.
The concept of online purchase will get a boost, especially for consumer items, which will bring down substantial overheads of companies. Only those companies will survive that are competitive and offer quality.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmad Hussain said a more realistic and practical approach towards business models is required with special focus on creating smart business environment. Also, business owners and investors will have to largely reduce expenses, he said, adding it’s high time to focus on IT, pharmaceuticals and packaging businesses whereas tourism and restaurant businesses have suffered a lot.
Pakistani exporters, he stressed, will enhance their exports to take full advantage of the Qatar government’s announcement of customs duty exemptions on food and medical products for a period of six months.
Mohammad Idrees Anwar lauded the QR75 billion package provided by the Qatari government to the private sector, which, he noted, is a decent move in the current testing times.
Various sectors including small industries are battling for survival due to the restrictions related to COVID-19. The incentive packages, including deferment of commercial rents, implementation of National Guarantee Programme for workers’ salary, and exemption of electricity and water charges for manufacturing companies, etc. provide short-term relief to companies that are facing the COVID-19 onslaught.
Addressing the participants, Riyaz Ahmad Bakali insisted that small and medium businesses are the backbone of the domestic economy and the stimulus package comprising economic incentives coupled with other benefits and support extended by the government would be of great help to cope up with the impact of the coronavirus. He praised the initiative of Qatar government to deploy medical scientists to develop vaccine for COVID-19 and wished Qatar to be among the pioneer countries to succeed.
Muhammad Khan and Rashid Butt said that “gradual and organised” return of business activities in the Industrial Area was a “pressing necessity” as it’s the hub of economic activities.
Israr Malazai, owner of multidiscipline businesses, said that despite the challenges faced by the private sector, every effort is being made to assist the government to control and contain the outbreak of COVID-19 to maximum the extent. Almost all private sector employers of the labour force are very well complying with rules and regulations announced by the concerned authorities. “We all are ensuring that every staff and worker must follow and adhere to the rules and guidelines to ensure that the disease does not spread any further,” remarked Malazai.
Meanwhile, leading Pakistani businessman and PBFD member Pervez Iqbal, who is presently stranded in Pakistan due to the COVID-19 situation, noted that though this pandemic is a curse for everyone, right from the governments and businesses to individuals, he persuaded Pakistani businessmen to consider it as a “blessing is disguise” if they avail themselves of the opportunities of export from Pakistan.
However, he noted that the private sector is currently suffering due to the consequences of COVID-19 and continued payment of salaries of workers and employees without making any profits and perhaps more challenges are in the offing for businesses in the next few months.
