Qatar Chamber Chairman Hails Partnership between Government and Private Sectors

Doha, April 20 (QNA) - HE the Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani hailed the systematic partnership between the government and private sectors in Qatar and underlined that it is the means to achieve sustainable development and excellence in the next round of infrastructure development projects. In an interview with Qatar News agency (QNA), HE Sheikh Khalifa praised the decisions made by the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment to set up a number of investment companies and to list the most important company (Doha Global Investment Company) in the Qatar Exchange, which reflects the government sector's abandonment of part of its ownership to the people, including the private sector and businessmen, and the strong approach to managing liquidity and take advantage of it in a proper way. He explained that the establishment of several companies to invest in the areas of infrastructure and in projects with small capital abroad; and the establishment of two companies for the development of small and medium enterprises and to manage economic areas and others would give the Qatari economy added value and had positive impact on the private sector. HE the Chairman of Qatar Chamber underlined that the consultative meetings held by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani with the Qatari private sector have succeeded in solving more than 80% out of the 130 issues raised by the Chamber, adding that the meetings tackled issues of concern to businessmen and investors, and established an unprecedented cooperation between the Chamber and the government institutions. He also highlighted the cooperation accorded to the Chamber by the various government bodies such as the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Business and Trade, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Energy and Industry and others. HE Sheikh Khalifa noted that there are clear instructions from HE the Premier and Foreign Minister to provide businessmen with the opportunity to give their opinion on the laws and legislations related to the Chamber activity before adopting them, which contributed to further strengthening the relation and establish positive partnership in the various economic topics. HE the Chairman of Qatar Chamber said that the Qatari private sector must contribute to the economic development as that State is doing its job and is providing investors with land, finance and marketing. HE Sheikh Khalifa pointed out that Qatar occupies a privileged position on the international arena at all levels, and thus all the organs and institutions operating in the State of Qatar should be keen to keep up with this position. He underlined that Qatar Chamber is keen to meet the aspiration of the State, for example, the Chamber will host this week the 8th World Chambers Congress of the ICC World Chambers Federation, which brings together the largest crowd of businessmen and investors from all over the world, and more than 12000 global chambers. HE Sheikh Khalifa highlighted that Qatar Chamber is the first Arab and Middle East country to host such huge conference. HE the Chairman of Qatar Chamber said that the private sector in Qatar has become a center of attraction for foreign investors all over the world, which created a great competition between the Qatari private sector and the non-Qatari companies coming from abroad. HE Sheikh Khalifa believed that the Qatari private sectors is facing a different situation from that in other GCC countries, imposed by the global and huge projects currently being implemented whether to host World Cup 2022 or as part of Qatar National Vision 2030. Meanwhile, HE Sheikh Khalifa confirmed the private sector's weak contribution to the country's GDP, but noted that it was due to the limited activity ratio available for the private sector which remained in the range of 30% as Qatar's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues, which accounts for 70% of the GDP, and these resources are run by the State not by the private sector. He noted that the Chamber, through direct contacts with the government bodies, is working hard to enable the private sector to contribute to all sectors like communications, services and others. Speaking about the 8th World Chambers Congress, due to kick off next Monday, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani expressed hope that the conference will be the beginning for a new era of relations between the private sector and the governments around the world based on common and public interests rather that individual interests. He added that the Chamber also hopes to revive the "Doha Round" which was launched in 2001, and to make progress in the global trade talks; and even to incorporate new business convention for the 21st century. Beside the "Doha Round", HE Sheikh Khalifa said that the four-day conference will provide chambers leaders and experts with the opportunity to discuss latest economic developments which affect their societies through open sessions and workshops, in addition to the accompanying exhibition. He noted that there will be various debate session to discuss means of changing the paths of the world economy and trade in the 21st century and the domestic political support for trade, in addition to a variety of topics of interest to Chambers of Commerce including education, employment, women at work; and small and medium enterprises in the global economy. Speaking about the achievements of Qatar Chamber this year, HE Sheikh Khalifa said that the Chamber is laying the foundation for a long-term strategy that would achieve growth for both the Chamber and the private sector. He noted that Qatar Chamber gained a global stature through the host of the 8th World Chambers Congress and the headquarters of the Islamic Chamber and other events, and that obligated the Chamber to actively act on the internal level to commensurate with this global stature. He pointed out to some achievements at the internal level including the planning of the first integrated information center to provide all economic information, data and statistics, to be ready at the end of the year, as well as improving the social and professional level for all employees by increasing salaries and providing health insurance for them and their families, along with the development of their skills through intensive training courses. HE the Chairman of Qatar Chamber noted that the name of the chamber was changed from Qatar Chamber for Commerce and Industry to represent all sector in the State after the wide economic growth and the emerge of new economic sectors like tourism, services, banks, communications and insurance. (QNA)