Qatar is progressing fast in the field of self-sufficiency as the number of home-based businesses is growing by the day. Qatar is following a comprehensive and inclusive approach for sustainable development and seeks to integrate government and private sectors to meet the needs of all segments of society. The culture of entrepreneurship is gaining momentum in Qatar as a result of various measures taken by the different government agencies.
A total of 250 home-based businesses are expected to participate in the second edition of“Made at Home” exhibition, which is around 74 percent more than last year. In the successful first edition, 144 home-based businesses had taken part. The exhibition was attended by more than 15,000 visitors across several nationalities with a total sales over QR2.5m.
The exhibition aims at encouraging and supporting Qatari home-based entrepreneurs to develop their abilities and capabilities by offering them a unique opportunity to display their products & services to the local market by creating new marketing windows, which will contribute to the diversification of the national economy,” said Abdul Aziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO, Qatar Development Bank.He said the approach would support the SME industry, encouraging new entrepreneurial pursuits and empower micro businesses. QDB provided necessary support to expand home businesses as about 66 shops were allotted to small businessmen to open their own shops in Al Furjan market.
Qatar Chamber Director-General Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi said that QC, which is a strategic partner for the ‘Made at Home’ exhibition, is committed to enabling micro businesses participate in a number of exhibitions being organised by the chamber, such as the “Made in Qatar”, in which more than 140 productive families showcased their products last year.
When it comes to self-sufficiency, the farm sector too is not far behind. The sector has taken gigantic leap towards covering the requirements of the local market and raising the self-sufficiency rates in the agricultural, livestock and fishery sectors despite the unjust siege imposed on the country.
Qatar has undertaken a number of initiatives to boost food security by providing opportunities for private investors in the agricultural field by launching four large strategic projects for the production of vegetables over an area of one million square meters per project. Preliminary estimates and feasibility studies indicate that the country’s self-sufficiency as a result of these mega-projects will increase substantially. A new marketing program for Qatari vegetables was also launched in consumer complexes.
Qatar is committed to provide full support for developing skills and capabilities of home-based entrepreneurs who play a key role in accelerating economic growth and contribute effectively to the sustainable development of the State. Such exhibitions will give a big boost to government’s on going drive to raise self sufficiency in times to come. Rising number of entrepreneurs shows that the various measures taken by different government agencies have begun to yield results and the country is on the path to become economic powerhouse of the region.
