In three years, its private sector surpassed the calculations of time and achieved the impossible. June 5, 2020, Al-Wassil Newspaper.
These three years were not measured by days and hours as much as by what was accomplished and achieved in reality. The private sector transcended the calculations of time, achieved the impossible, faced challenges, and overcame obstacles and circumstances in the pages of oblivion.
Perhaps the history of June 5, 2017, will remain present in the memory of businessmen and investors throughout time. During this period, the investment mentality shifted from a traditional stage where projects were limited to specific sectors, to an expansion phase that involved investing in entirely new fields for businessmen, including the industrial sector, which witnessed tangible progress during the three years.
Regarding securing the local market’s needs during the early hours and days of closing the only land port, the largest source of goods and products, the private sector faced the challenge of providing fresh commodities such as vegetables, fruits, dairy products, poultry, eggs, certain types of water, and medicines. The first plane that landed at Hamad International Airport carried vegetables and fruits within 24 hours, followed by other planes loaded with vegetables, dairy products, and derivatives.
In the second stage, supply operations were carried out through commercial partnerships with many countries, using maritime routes that were inaugurated since mid-2017. Hamad International Port became the link between Doha and many countries with significant economic impact, including India, Pakistan, Turkey, and European countries.
Businessmen and experts affirmed that Qatar witnessed a significant transformation during the past three years in many aspects, notably the diversification of sources for supplying goods and commodities, whether food or consumer products. They pointed out that this diversification became a reality due to the inauguration of maritime routes with new countries, other than the traditional markets that existed before the blockade.
In their interview with “Al-Wassil,” they explained that the investment mentality among businessmen underwent a qualitative change in selecting the nature of investments, primarily shifting towards the industrial sector. They emphasized that this is considered one of the major benefits of the blockade, as it led to the emergence of national industries that cater to the local market’s needs for certain goods.
They also highlighted the role of the Qatar Free Zones Authority and the Free Zones Company in assisting in promoting economic diversification, enhancing the growth of the Qatari private sector and small and medium-sized companies. They noted that the developments achieved by Qatar in many fields require further improvements in transportation infrastructure to support expansion and economic growth in the country.
Al-Hajri: National achievements are not the limit but the beginning of the journey.
Saad Al-Tuwaih Al-Hajri, a businessman and industrialist, emphasized that the past three years have been different for the private sector in several aspects, most notably its entry into new economic sectors such as the industrial sector. He pointed out that the industrial sector has witnessed significant growth in the quality of products and the number of factories, as well as the introduction of new production lines in the local market.
He also mentioned that the private sector responded to government facilitations, which reflected positively on new service and industrial companies, in addition to various vital sectors. He noted that the private sector surpassed the unjust blockade on Qatar by establishing national institutions capable of filling the gap in the local market.
He stressed that the national achievements accomplished during the past period are not the desired limit but rather the beginning of the journey. He pointed out that the local market now relies on domestic production for many food and consumer goods.
He explained that the achieved progress was the result of the unity and cooperation between the leadership, the Qatari people, and residents, who have proven to everyone that work, determination, and perseverance are the foundations of success. He highlighted the commercial communication between the local private sector and its counterparts in various countries as the core nucleus between Qatari businessmen and their counterparts worldwide. He pointed out that the initiation of trade partnerships has had an impact on boosting domestic production and enabling Qatari products to reach different countries.
He also mentioned that the government has worked over the years to provide many facilitations and incentives to the Qatari private sector, which have had a positive effect in encouraging it to enter non-traditional sectors.
Al-Kawari: The blockade increased the private sector’s ability to adapt to circumstances and challenges.
Khalid Jabr Al-Kawari, a businessman and member of the Qatar Chamber’s Board of Directors, affirmed that the local private sector played a prominent role during the unjust blockade on Qatar. He mentioned that its role began with securing the market’s various food items at reasonable prices, as well as communicating with businessmen from different countries and coordinating meetings and visits that would enhance trade exchange with various nations.
He confirmed that the blockade was one of the blessings that the local private sector experienced, as it increased its ability to adapt to circumstances and challenges. He pointed out that the partnership between the public and private sectors played a significant role in increasing exports and national production.
He highlighted that the private sector has achieved a qualitative leap in investment activities, with many traders and distributors transitioning from distribution and agency work to establishing factories in various consumer industries.
Al-Shirawi: Qatar is growing stronger year by year, and its economy is becoming more resilient.
Jassim Mohammed Al-Shirawi, an economic writer and analyst, stated that the country is stronger than any blockade due to its sincere determination and the unity of its supportive and loyal people. He emphasized that Qatar grows stronger year by year, and its economy becomes more resilient as it implements more strategies related to diversifying resources, investing wealth, achieving self-sufficiency, and strengthening economic and political ties with major global powers.
He mentioned that its sound investment policies have allowed Qatar to maximize the benefits of its natural resources. It has succeeded in developing the world’s largest infrastructure for the production and export of liquefied natural gas, becoming a major player in the energy sector, supplying one-third of the world’s needs. Qatar has invested its revenues in various economic sectors worldwide, diversifying its sources of income and building a strong and stable economy capable of withstanding crises.
He added that Qatar has developed comprehensive infrastructure that keeps pace with the advancements of the era in all fields, including projects for food, water, animal security, solar energy, advanced airports, and seaports, which have become vital resources for private sector activities and meeting the country’s needs. Qatar has also invested in education and scientific research, attracting global companies to conduct research and develop technologies that support its programs, such as research related to utilizing water associated with oil and gas extraction to reduce dependence on desalination. It has opened schools and universities and developed hospitals and medical centers to provide the highest levels of healthcare.
Al-Shirawi continued by saying that the state continues to implement its successful strategies, overcoming any political and economic crises, and continues to prepare for hosting the World Cup. This has not stopped Qatar from increasing its investments in the energy sector to support its reserves and diversify its foreign investments. It is evident that we are on the right path to achieving our national vision for 2030, under the wise leadership of our beloved Amir, who possesses enlightened future visions and is determined to elevate the lives of every individual living on Qatari soil.
