'Made in Qatar' Kicks off, 1600 Businesses Participate

Doha, January 16 (QNA) - Qatar Chamber's 'Made in Qatar' exhibition has launched on Wednesday in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Industry, and with a strategic sponsorship by Qatar Development Bank (QDB). Around 1600 domestic industrial companies participate in the three-day exhibition, which is held at Qatar International Exhibition Centre. Qatar Chamber of Commerce And Industry (QCCI) Chairman HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani said the patronizing of HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, over the opening of the exhibition supports Qatari domestic industry, noting that the chamber has worked to expand the exhibition by taking it abroad but regional circumstances did not help. He added that the chamber is awaiting the right time to do it. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani said all participant factories offer new products, adding that more than 10 factories are taking part in the event for the first time, which gives positive signs about the development of Qatari industry. He noted that the chamber works on supporting this sector through constant coordination with each of the Ministry of Business and Trade, and the Ministry of Industry and Energy by holding meetings between the three parties. He stressed that one of the main challenges of local industry is the lack of industrial lands. However, he noted that this issue will be overcome soon upon the completion of construction work in the industrial area located between Al Wakra and Mesaieed, which, he said, will significantly contribute to solving this dilemma. According to the exhibition's website, it aims to contribute to building the national economy and enhancing the performance of different sectors in industry, which is considered an essential foundation to diversify sources of national income and make best use of available resources so as to preserve the interests of future generations. A series of lectures and seminars by industry experts accompany the event, where they tackle challenges facing the industrial sector and how to activate industry in GCC states. HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani patronized earlier on Wednesday the opening of this year' s edition of Made in Qatar exhibition, which is organized by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Industry. A number of Their Excellencies Ministers, Qatari businessmen and guests attended the opening ceremony of the three-day event, held at the Doha Exhibition Center. HH the Heir Apparent toured the sponsoring and participating companies in the exhibition and the pavilions of the traditional craft, where HH asserted the State's support for projects operated by the Ministry of Social Affairs Department of Productive Families Development. (QNA)