DohaThe ninth edition of the Made in Qatar exhibition was launched yesterday, Wednesday, with the participation of 450 local factories and companies, with the aim of strengthening the Qatari industry, supporting the state’s efforts to achieve industrial development, and promoting the Qatari industry and products locally, Arably and internationally.
The exhibition, which will continue until the second of next month, aims to encourage the use of Qatari products, reduce dependence on imports, strengthen the state’s efforts to support industry, and encourage investors and entrepreneurs to invest in industrial projects.
Following the opening of the exhibition, the Qatari Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, said that there is close cooperation between the ministry and the Qatar Chamber to support the Qatari industry in general, and work to solve all obstacles facing the private sector to facilitate its role in the comprehensive development of the country.
He pointed to the diversity of industries participating in the exhibition, which include various sectors. Such as: petrochemicals, furniture manufacturing, food industries, small and medium industries, services, in addition to other various industries.
He pointed out that the exhibition provides the opportunity for visitors to see the latest products and services in the industrial sector, communicate with industry experts and investors, and see the success stories of industrial companies in the country, and their ability to develop their business and enhance their competitiveness.
Development of Qatari companies and factories
Saleh Al Sharqi, Director General of the Qatar Chamber and Chairman of the Technical Committee organizing the exhibition, said that the event reflects the development achieved by Qatari companies and factories year after year, noting that it includes a large group of Qatari companies and factories that have achieved significant growth over the past few years thanks to government support and infrastructure. The developed legislation, in addition to the legislation and laws that facilitated the establishment of factories, and provided many incentives and facilities to investors in the industrial sector.
During the past few years, Qatar has succeeded in developing a number of industries and increasing production in various fields, especially the food field, until it reached self-sufficiency rates in some of them. Such as: dairy products. Rather, the matter extended to opening export markets for these products. There is also great support for Qatari farmers through Hassad Company, which buys crops from farms and then resells them in support of farmers.
Dairy products
In this context, Nasser Al-Muslimani, CEO of Baladna Company, said – in statements to Al Jazeera Net – that Qatar has been able to achieve self-sufficiency in dairy products for more than two years, noting that “Baladna” Company contributes the largest share to local production by more than 65% as well. It exports part of its production abroad.
He pointed out that “Baladna”, which is participating with a large pavilion in the exhibition, produces more than 400 tons per day, as milk products and its derivatives are the most in demand among consumers.
He praised government support for local industries through the necessary legislation and laws to protect national industries, as the state’s general policy supports the local product in every way, in order to preserve the gains of these companies in front of competing foreign products.
He believes that “Baladna” is a role model for the success of local companies and their ability to keep pace with development, provide the needs of the local market, and thus reduce imports, noting that the company is always developing and expanding and is working to diversify its production network around the world, through cooperation agreements and partnerships with many companies. From countries of the world.
Food security
Nasser Al-Khalaf from Aggreko Agricultural Development Company and the Qatar Meat Production Factory said that participating in the exhibition is an opportunity to express the extent of the development of national companies and their ability to produce and meet local demand, as the company was established in 2011 to keep pace with the state’s vision of producing food and achieving food security in the country. Qatar, noting that the beginning was by developing an agricultural system using developed greenhouses manufactured locally to produce vegetables throughout the year.
Al-Khalaf indicated – in statements to Al Jazeera Net – that the company has developed significantly and currently produces 7 tons per day of various vegetables, explaining that the company is soon to begin exporting quantities of its agricultural production, explaining that as a result of increased production, a factory was established to recycle organic waste. It produces about 300 tons of organic waste for agricultural soil.
He added that the company follows the “hydroponic” system and then develops various systems, including “aquaponics” by using fish to produce vegetables, and then establishing a fish production farm. Such as: tilapia and shrimp.
Al-Khalaf revealed that there is a partnership between his company and the Ministry of Municipality to operate the Ministry’s hatchery to produce fish fingerlings, which is an environmental project that produces 4 million fingerlings or fry, and throws them into the sea, to be an environmental project for the Ministry of Municipality, and the surplus is fattened and displayed in the local market.
governmental support
For his part, the head of commercial relations and communication at Hassad Food Company, Mubarak Al-Sahouti, confirmed that the company is keen to be present in such exhibitions in a way that will reflect on trade within the country, by displaying local products and displaying Hassad’s investments within the country, which in turn enhances work on Increasing local food production and supporting food security.
He added – in special statements to Al Jazeera Net – that Hassad has several local investments, including: Mahaseel Food Company, which buys the local vegetable product from more than 400 farms in the country, and repackages and markets it in commercial complexes in a way that befits the level of the local product, through packaging that raises the level of the product.
He explained that the products are distributed to more than 100 sales outlets in the country, which represents direct support from the state to support the local product and support farmers, as they are purchased at prices determined by the Ministry of Municipality, as a kind of integration of the positive economy between state institutions and various local companies, explaining that the company aims to lift the burden of The marketing process is on the shoulders of farmers, by marketing their vegetable production in the local market, within the local vegetable marketing program, in order to motivate them to increase the volume of production and raise its quality.
