Qatar Chamber (QC) Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani (centre), and other QC officials, during the Chamber’s virtual second general assembly meeting yesterday.
Doha: The Qatar Chamber (QC) has played a significant role in helping businesses in Qatar as well as in mobilising the private sector to support smaller companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, QC Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani has said.
Speaking at the Chamber’s second general assembly meeting which was held virtually yesterday, Sheikh Khalifa reiterated that Qatar has successfully dealt with the crisis and managed to preserve the health of its citizens and residents, pointing to the QR75bn financial package directed by the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin
Hamad Al Thani, which has helped the private sector and all economic sectors to overcome the negative implications of the pandemic.
He said the Chamber continued to efficiently provide its services to the Qatari business community without interruption despite the pandemic, and has also joined hands with the government efforts to not only curb the outbreak of the COVID-19, but also maintain the economy, while enabling the private sector to perform a positive role during the crisis.
The virtual meeting, which was headed by Sheikh Khalifa, was also attended by a number of Board Members, businessmen and QC members.
The meeting’s agenda included the approval of the QC’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2020, the discharge of Board Members, the approval of the QC’s fiscal report for 2020 through the auditor’s report on the final accounts, and the statement of income and expenses for the said year.
The meeting also touched on the approval of the estimated budget for the financial year 2021 and appointment of a new auditor and determining the fees.
During the meeting, Sheikh Khalifa also reviewed the Board of Director’s report on the activities of the QC last year.
He went on to highlight the initiatives adopted by the Chamber last year, including the establishment of an emergency committee tasked with resolving obstacles faced by local companies due to the precautionary measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that the QC has accelerated its digitalisation and further developed its technological infrastructure to streamline services and transactions for its members and to provide all possible means to accomplish their transactions online.
The Chamber has also launched the “Takatuf Initiative’ which focused on two aspects, including the private sector’s contribution to the State’s efforts to confront the pandemic, and motivating large companies to help and support small and medium-sized companies that have been greatly affected by the repercussions of the pandemic.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, the Chamber also launched the ‘Labour Re-employment Platform’ in the private sector, with the aim of helping companies obtain skilled workers from laid-off workers, in order to ensure the continuity of business and projects without disruption.
Sheikh Khalifa noted that the Chamber conducted more than 100 events in 2020, whether at the Chambers headquarters or virtually, including conferences, forums, meetings, exhibitions, and hosting of meetings with various officials of concerned authorities to review matters related to the private sector.
He also referred to the Law No (12) of 2020 regulating the partnership between public and private sectors, and stressed the State’s confidence in the private sector as a genuine partner in the country’s development.
Sheikh Khalifa also reiterated that the QC played a key role in advancing the idea of issuing a law regulating PPPs during a conference it organised in 2009, where the Chamber recommended the need for a legislation governing the partnership between the government and the private sector.
He said that new PPP law will help further increase the participation of the private sector in the projects implemented in the country, affirming that partnerships projects contribute to enhancing economic development and attracting more investments, which is one of the key pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
In his speech, Sheikh Khalifa also invited the members to participate in the activities and events hosted by the Chamber, stressing that the Chamber welcomes all suggestions and ideas that might help in developing the private sector and in achieving its interests for the advantage of the national economy.
