Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani
Doha: Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani praised the speech of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the inauguration of the second ordinary session of the first legislative term, corresponding to the Shura Council’s 51st annual session, indicating that it has drawn the features of the coming period in light of the achievements made in recent years.
Sheikh Khalifa noted that the Amir assured the durability and strength of the Qatari economy, which has continued to grow during the current year, after the 2020 decline, and that the preliminary data indicate that the GDP during the first half of this year increased by 4.3 percent, supported by a 7.3 percent growth rate of the non-oil sector compared to the same period of the previous year.
He also lauded the Amir’s keenness on enhancing the contribution of the private sector in the economic activity and the public-private partnership, noting that the Amir’s speech stressed the importance of activating the provisions of the law regulating partnership between the public and private sectors in all relevant projects, including health, educational and tourism facilities.
“H H the Amir also cited the in-country value program, which has been launched to give preference in tenders and bids to companies that are more dependent on the local economy, than other companies, in supplying goods and services to the public sector,” Sheikh Khalifa indicated.
He also pointed out that the private sector has witnessed great development in recent years and has become a responsible partner of the public sector in implementing projects economic development.
He added that the private sector can play an important role in achieving the comprehensive economic development, in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and its aspired goals.
Sheikh Khalifa reiterated the Amir’s speech on enhancing the investment climate in Qatar by amending the legislation regulating foreign investment to remove the obstacles faced by investors, projecting Qatar at the international level as an incubator for direct international investment and improving the investment environment, and opening the way for citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf to engage in new activities such as shipping services, advertising, stock trading and establishing companies as well as working on developing the energy sector and expanding gas production in the North Field.
He also affirmed that all these factors assured that the Qatari economy would see further development and growth during the years to come, noting that the Amir mentioned in his speech that the hike in energy prices turned a projected budget deficit at the beginning of the year into a surplus of about QR47.3bn in the first half of the year and that the budget surplus would be directed to reducing the level of public debt and increasing the state’s financial reserves.
General Manager of the Qatar Chamber Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi
General Manager of the Qatar Chamber Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi added that the Amir's speech confirmed the Amir’s trust in the ability of the private sector to be a genuine partner to the public sector in the country’s development.
Al Sharqi expected that the private sector would witness greater growth and development, especially with the activation of the PPP in related projects, especially in the health, education, and tourism sectors, and in the context of diversifying public revenue sources.
He also said that the Amir’s speech touched on many topics, including the upcoming economic projects that will be implemented in the coming period, and the focus on public spending on projects and programs of the 3rd National Development Strategy, as well as providing support for vital sectors with the highest economic return.
