H E Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association, along with other officials at the Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition 2018 held at DECC yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
DOHA: Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association, yesterday inaugurated Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition 2018 in which around 120 local and foreign companies participated.
The three-day event is showcasing the latest manufacturing and production line innovations that could play a significant role in driving Qatar’s transformation towards a diverse, sustainable economy. With the country progressing towards the National Vision 2030 plan, new opportunities continue to open for the local and international business leaders to contribute towards a dynamic, self-sufficient national economy.
Six Iranian companies are also taking part in the exhibition representing food and other sectors. First time an Iranian pharmaceutical giant Alborz Investment Group also took part in any exhibition in Qatar.
Talking to The Peninsula, Mohammad Bagheri, First Counsellor of Embassy of Iran in Qatar said that exports from Iran to Qatar had increased three times since the imposition of siege last year. He said after supplying food items, now Iranian companies were exploring pharmaceutical market of Qatar and soon Iranian medicines would also be exported to Qatar to meet domestic needs. He said that trade relations between Iran and Qatar were growing with the passage of time.
Sheikh Faisal toured the exhibition at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), which is hosting 120 pavilions of companies from Qatar as well as France, Germany, Austria, Tunisia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Kuwait, Canada, Greece, Iran, China, Finland, Kurkistan, Turkey, etc.
The exhibitors demonstrated solutions that can support Qatar’s progressive diversification strategy and improve production line efficiencies and operations for a sustainable future. “The Qatar Self-Sufficiency Exhibition is an innovative expo that aligns with the goals of our visionary leadership for a diverse, sustainable economy.
This gives Qatari companies a unique opportunity to engage with global players on the world stage and it enables international exhibitors to demonstrate how they can contribute to that goal,” said Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association.
Abdulrahman Saleh Al Obaidly, Chairman of Hisky for Tourism and Exhibitions, organisers of the Qatar Self Sufficiency Exhibition 2018, added: “We have been extremely encouraged by the level of support from distinguished figures from the local business landscape and across the various sectors, ever since we proposed the idea for this exhibition.”
Commenting on the exhibition, Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of QDB, said: “The sponsorship of ‘Qatar Self Sufficiency Exhibition 2018’ comes in line with the Bank’s efforts towards self-sufficiency through small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).”
Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi, CEO of Manateq, the exhibition’s Economic Partner, said: “As the leading provider of industrial zones, logistics and warehousing parks in Qatar, this exhibition is the perfect platform for us. There is great two-way potential for Manateq at Qatar Self Sufficiency Exhibition, where we can share our expertise and offer a deep dive into the business solutions and initiatives we offer those looking to set up business in Qatar and who are looking to be part of creating a sustainable economy for Qatar.”
GWC Chairman Sheikh Abdulla bin Fahad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani said: “GWC’s long-term strategies and forward thinking have established a standard in logistics operation that support the country’s ability to be self-reliant.”
The key sponsors for the Exhibition are QDB as Official Partner; GWC as Logistics Partner; Manateq as Economic Partner; Baladna as Platinum Sponsor; Al Obaidly Group as Gold Sponsor; Qatar Building Company and Al Qamra, as Silver Sponsors; QBA as Development Sector Partner; Qatar Airways as Official Airline; City Center Rotana Doha as Official Hotel.
