Government fully committed to support national products

The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said the government is harnessing all the possibilities to boost the local production. And it is fully committed in supporting Qatari companies and SMEs, especially those involved in manufacturing and food processing industries.
Dr Al Sada said that the government is working on solving all difficulties and addressing the obstacles and challenges the industry and investors may be facing in Qatar.
He reiterated that the government has already taken several steps to achieve self-sufficiency in vital products.
“I really appreciate the significant role the Qatari producers played, especially in the recent past, by enhancing their production capacities,” Al Sada told reporters on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of Qatar Entrepreneurship Awards and Conference (Rowad Qatar), yesterday at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).
Some 125 companies, selected from wide range of sectors, are competing for best prizes in different award categories for Rowad Qatar, according to Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank (QDB), the organizer of the coveted event, being held in coordination with the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).
GEW is a global event held annually attracting millions of people in more than 160 countries around the world, including Qatar, spreading the culture of entrepreneurship.
“This is the third edition of the of the event in consecutive year being organised in coordination with GEW. White is different this year’s edition is that it will witness more international speakers and more local entrepreneurs sharing their experience,” Abdulaziz told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the opening ceremony.
He added: “On Wednesday (tomorrow) we will have Entrepreneurship Awards, which is being held in Qatar for the first time under the patronage of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. And we are very enthusiastic about it.”
The opening ceremony was well attended by esteemed guests and dignitaries, which included former Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Hessa Sultan Al Jaber.
This year QDB has added one more award category on the backdrop of the ongoing economic blockade against Qatar. This new category of award will go to the best company contributing to ‘creating self-sufficiency’. Some of the other award categories include best startups, best exporter and others. Asked about the role of QDB in developing SMEs and economic diversification, especially after the imposition of unfair siege against Qatar, Abdulaziz said that the blockade has worked as a catalyst in accelerating the pace of economic diversification, including the contributions made by the private sector.
“Qatari companies are working better in serving the requirements of the country. They are more active towards achieving the strategic goal of self-sufficiency in line with Qatar’s vision,” he added. “We are seeing more benefits for the SMEs and the private sector creating added value for them who are capable to deliver.”
Commenting on priority lending sectors, CEO of the state backed development agency said that the manufacturing is the priority sector where QDB is currently focusing, but within this sector F&B, medicine, and medical devices are being given the utmost priority based on the directions from H H the Emir.
QDB recently organised a series of exhibitions for supporting and promoting local companies and products, including’ Made at Home’ expo showcasing products manufactured by micro-enterprises and home-based businesses.