Qatar now a maritime gateway for trade: PM

PHOTO

December 01 2016

Qatar’s private sector has played as significant role in the development of major infrastructure projects such as the new Hamad Port, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani has said.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the start of Hamad Port’s full operation on Thursday, the prime minister commended the New Port Project (NPP) Steering Committee for encouraging private sector contribution to national mega projects.

“The share of Qatari companies and local market in the contracts for the establishment of the port was nearly 60%,” he said.

Private sector participation, he added, “comes in line with the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani,” who wants the largest share of economic development projects being implemented by the state to be undertaken by the local sector.

The prime minister emphasised that the Hamad Port was a key pillar of the economy, adding that it would make Qatar a maritime gateway for global trade via maritime services using state-of-the-art technology and international security and safety standards.

“Today, we are witnessing a great achievement in the private transport sector’s projects. The unlimited support by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, along with the close follow-up by HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, were behind the start of the overall operations of this giant project before the set deadlines and within the allocated budget,” he stressed.

The prime minister’s visit to Hamad Port on Thursday was highlighted by a briefing and tour of port facilities and administrative buildings, as well as a presentation on the arrival of the port’s first container ship, the Panama-registered MSC Esthi.

During the tour, he was joined by other dignitaries, including HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, and HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi.

Speaking to Gulf Times at a press conference later, al-Sulaiti said: “We hope to witness significant growth in the trade volume between Qatar and other countries now that Hamad Port is operational.” He noted that the port’s full operation months before its scheduled opening in June 2017 “is a historic milestone for the ministry and the country, and is also a big step that would benefit port-related businesses.”