Qatar Chamber (QC) Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani has said that the QC, as the representative of the private sector, has undertaken a set of measures supportive to government efforts in addressing the economic crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sheikh Khalifa, in an interview with the QNA, said the Chamber’s sectoral committees have continued their effective coordination meetings, as the Food Committee worked to ensure the continued flow of food commodities to the Qatari market, while the Health Committee continued to coordinate with the Ministry of Health to resolve any repercussions on the health sector. The Education Committee also examined the impact of the education sector and reached practical solutions in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
In response to a question on the most significant efforts adopted by the QC in the current crisis, Sheikh Khalifa said that the Chamber immediately contacted all concerned parties to identify the obstacles faced by companies in order to address them, while the Board of Directors held an emergency meeting to discuss the causes of the crisis and the efforts that can be made by the private sector and local companies to support the government efforts, especially those implemented by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management.
The Chamber also formed an emergency committee to monitor all developments at the level of all economic sectors and to represent a communication link between companies and government agencies.
The Chamber also called on business owners to facilitate the conditions for defaulters, especially the small and medium-sized companies, whether by exempting from the rental value or postponing the dues until the crisis eases.
He added that the QC’s Takatuf initiative which was launched recently to encourage QC members from the public and private jointstock companies and other entrepreneurs in Qatar to support the country’s efforts in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, has received over 70 projects presented by business owners and local companies.
The Takatuf initiatives include establishing field hospitals, providing medical personnel when necessary, providing drivers and support services as well as equipment, air conditioners and generators, in addition to providing and delivering food, masks and medical gloves, and local food products.
The initiatives also include providing transportation, cleaning and hospitality services, sterilisation and disinfection services for buildings, streets and manors, as well as medical equipment and medicines, in addition to supplying mattresses and providing volunteers, display screens, speakers, printing guide boards and setting up self-service devices in labour camps to reduce the spread of the virus.
Sheikh Khalifa added that these initiatives reflect the solidarity, cooperation and patriotism shown by the private sector towards the society, and its support for the efforts exerted by the government, noting that the Chamber directs the initiatives it receives through Takatuf to the government institutions based on their needs.
In this context, the Chamber directed 24 initiatives to the Ministry of Public Health, and coordination is currently underway to direct a number of other initiatives to Qatar Red Crescent according to its needs.
The Chamber is also coordinating with many government institutions to direct the initiatives according to their needs and assigned roles.
He also reiterated that the QC has worked with the relevant authorities to ensure the continuity of supply of food products for companies and factories that are located in the closed zone in the Industrial Area.
The executive management of the Chamber also took several measures consistent with the government’s precautionary efforts and measures to limit the spread of the virus, as it implemented plans allowing employees to work online from home through the Chamber’s electronic systems, and allocated hotlines to answer any inquiries from merchants and businessmen.
He added that the Chamber’s emergency committee worked to solve the problem of transporting goods to and from the Industrial Area, by setting up an electronic system through which companies, which are willing to transport goods to and from the closed area, can access and fill in their data. He explained that the Chamber will collect these data in statements and send them electronically to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to approve, and then, the Chamber will send this approved statement to companies so that they can transport their goods to and from the Industrial Area according to the data recorded in that statement.
Sheikh Khalifa went on to stress that this mechanism contributed to facilitating the flow of goods from the Industrial Area to local markets, which helped to stabilise the market and ensure the supply of all food products in the local markets in a smooth and continuous manner.
He added that the performance showed by the private sector and the important initiatives launched by business owners proved that the private sector is a real partner to the government in its development process, and reflected the extent of support and attention the wise leadership and the esteemed government attach to this sector.
