Doha: The Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah said that the State of Qatar, thanks to the wise directions of the Emir
H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, seeks to become a leader in the development, a nurturing of creativity and innovation, and a magnet for national and international experience.
Addressing the opening session of the Qatar Industrial Investment Conference and Exhibition, Attiyah said that hydrocarbons industry would remain a prominent feature of the economic landscape of Qatar, but in the long term, we need to diversify sources of income.
He underlined that the growing experience in Qatar in the energy sector, coupled with the successful partnerships of the giants of international energy companies, provide it with new opportunities in the development of manufacturing industries.
The Deputy Premier noted that Qatar enjoys a strategic location extending to the markets of Europe, Asia and Africa in the light of the availability of opportunities that have not yet exploited.
The development of industries, especially those related to oil and gas, represents a major base for economic development in the country and is considered a vital element for providing capital job opportunities for future generations, and to ensure the safety and efficiency of other economic sectors, he said.
Attiyah said that the investment opportunities that will be presented and reached during the conference will be steps to enhance the themes of industrial investment and economic growth in the country.
He noted that a large number of investment opportunities which are responsive to the needs of the Qatari market and the rest of the world markets will be presented during the conference.
A number of investors from many industrialised countries were invited to provide their proposed projects to investors in Qatar in order to secure the requirements of the establishment of successful industries and accelerate it to contribute to the economic development and industrialization in the State of Qatar, he added.
H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, the Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) said at the opening session that the relative importance of industry in Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of any state lies not only in that it is realising an added value to it but rather forming a basic rule for the economy ushuring towards sustainable development which relies on the optimal exploitation of resources.
This in addition to what it achieves of diversification of income sources, opening labour opportunities that would help minimize rates of unemployment and achieve prosperity and welfare of the citizens.
Out of the QCCI's firm belief of what the industry sector of economic and social proceeds, he said: "Therefore, the QCCI's drive is basically focussing towards the development of this sector on a number of main pivots inter-alia contribution to removing all obstacles and impediments blocking the launching of that sector towards the cherished prospects.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim pointed out in this regard that the industry committee was established with a view to overcoming problems facing such a sector and proposing the appropriate solutions as well as establishing a joint committee with the Ministry of Energy and Industry to discuss and bring close viewpoints between the executive organs and the private sector.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim said that during the annual consultative meeting of H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister with the private sector, the QCCI had offered several proposals and views facing the private sector with a view to promoting this sector.
He pointed out that the QCCI is promoting for industry through exhibitions and the local and international meetings, and referred in this regard to 'Made in Qatar' exhibition which will be held on January 4, next year.
Such a fair is organised by the QCCI in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Industry, he said in his address to the opening session of Qatar Industrial Investment Conference and Exhibition.
The QCCI chairman referred to the establishment of Qatar Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Authority , which aims to provide funding for these projects, stressing however that this authority will be a milestone in the future of industry in Qatar once it has all potentials for success.
The State has to provide plots and industrial areas, issue laws and legislations, stimulating and encouraging investment in addition to establishing modern infrastructure, he said.
© The Peninsula 2010
