The Qatari Businessmen Association Complimented the meeting with His Excellency the Prime Minister
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim: The meeting gave us more confidence and reassurance to continue our role as a partner in achieving comprehensive development
The Qatari Businessmen Association complimented the Virtual meeting called by His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior last Thursday, QBA also praised the timing of having this meeting and the importance of benefiting from it. From QBA, the meeting was headed by Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, QBA Chairman, and a number of QBA board members and members also participated, to discuss the economic and commercial conditions resulting from Corona Virus pandemic (Covid-19), its effects on the private sector and appropriate solutions to overcome it
From QBA, Mr. Hussein Al Fardan QBA first Deputy and Dr. Sheikh Khalid Bin Thani al Thani, QBA Second Deputy attended the meeting. From QBA Board, Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani, Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, Mr. Sheirda Al Kaabi and Mr. Saud Omar Al Mana attended the Virtual meeting. Also, from QBA Members, Mr. Khalid Al Mannai, Sheikh Faisal Bin Fahad Al Thani, Mr. Salah Al Jaidah, Mr. Nabil Abu Issa, Mr. Mohamed Al Rabban, Mr. Abdulsalam Abu Issa and Mr. Ibrahim al Asmakh all attended the meeting as well.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, the Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, confirmed in a press release issued today, Saturday, that the meeting is an evidence of the government continuous provision of the necessary support to the private sector, and encouraging it to play the role assigned to it, by availing all the necessary capabilities and overcoming obstacles in the path to achieving sustainable development and emphasizing the constructive partnership between the government and private sectors.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani added "It was a constructive meeting, where we presented all the challenges and obstacles facing the private sector in the country, and we discussed with His Excellency the Prime Minister with all transparency and clarity, the private sector's demands, where His Excellency expressed his full support, and that the coming period will witness many government initiatives towards the private sector in a tangible manner. "
Sheikh Faisal also added: "The meeting witnessed a review of the government's plans during the coming period regarding increasing support to the private sector, focusing on the most prominent sectors in which the government wants to contribute directly, while providing all means of support for it."
QBA Chairman stressed out that the Qatari business community has proven through many exceptional circumstances, that the Qatari economy in particular and the global economy in general have experienced, that it is up to the responsibility, as it played its role to the fullest extent and harnessed all its capabilities to support the national economy. Also, the private sector not only seeks to receive support and funds, but at the same time seeks to play an influential role in the economic and commercial development in the country, out of a sense of responsibility and so that the interest is shared with everyone
In his speech during the meeting, Sheikh Faisal said: "I would like to extend my sincere thanks to your Excellency for calling this meeting, which would enhance cooperation between government institutions and the private sector and give us more confidence and reassurance, for the sector to continue its national role as a partner in achieving comprehensive development and facing the crisis And emphasizing that we still believe in the necessity of continuing cooperation between the public and private sectors, and strengthening and developing it, especially in light of the exceptional circumstances that the state is currently going through, and working to harness all human, financial and economic capabilities in the service of government programs and the protection of economic, social and investment environment in our beloved country. "
“The Corona pandemic crisis was a practical test of the readiness of the official institutions in Qatar, and an indicator to measure the ability of the government to face challenges and measure its flexible response to the requirements of the current situation to mitigate the economic and social impact of the pandemic, which is what drives us today - as a private sector - To share and consider with you a number of ideas and initiatives that will enhance joint action, and support the sincere efforts under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, may God protect him.
Noting that many economic studies and research indicate that the economic impact of the Corona pandemic will extend for quite some time, and it will have great and severe repercussions on the business sector in the region and the world, and this requires us to double proactive efforts and actual partnership to reduce these effects in light of energy prices dropping Internationally.
Sheikh Faisal concluded by saying: "We ask God Almighty that the world will overcome this crisis, save our country, and bless your steps in completing your efforts to counter the spread of the pandemic, and reduce its economic effects on our beloved country Qatar, in a way that contributes to protecting society and the national economy."
For his part, Mr. Hussein Al-Fardan, QBA First deputy stressed out that the businessmen have a sincere desire to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors, in many vital sectors, and was glad His Excellency addressed the possibility of the private sector benefiting from the privileges provided by the free zones.
Mr. Al-Fardan referred to MOU signed between the Qatari Businessmen Association and the Free Zones Authority last February, with the aim of enhancing cooperation in achieving the economic goals and economic diversification of the State of Qatar. It also seeks to enhance mutual cooperation and benefit from the services provided by the two institutions to the local and external investors, in an effort to enhance investment and support economic development in the country.
He also pointed out that the coming period will witness the activation of the agreement in a practical way, where during the meeting, the participants discussed the potential of the private sector benefiting from the privileges and advanced infrastructure provided by the free zones, including the opportunity to benefit from the main infrastructure and logistic services, in addition to tax and regulatory privileges, and more.
Considering that this step will give the private sector a favorable opportunity to invest in one of the best free zones in the region and the Middle East, where the Qatari private sector will work alongside famous international names recently joined the free zones, and will increase the experiences gained for the Qatari private sector Working in a competitive and stimulating business environment. And will also help increase the proportion of the non-oil sector’s contribution to GDP in order to diversify the economy and transform the economy of Qatar into a knowledge-based economy, within the Qatar National Vision 2030, where this vision focuses on a diversified economy whose dependence on hydrocarbon activities is decreasing and the role of the private sector is increasing and preserving For its competitiveness
On his part, Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, QBA Second Deputy, renewed his thanks to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the financial and economic incentives to support the private sector, represented in providing "75" billion riyals to support the liquidity of commercial banks, the stock market and the national guarantees program From Qatar Development Bank, in addition to exempting electricity and water costs and reducing the various fees for economic activities to support them during the Corona pandemic
Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani also added that the Qatari economy is strong and built on solid foundations, as many international credit rating agencies have confirmed the country's high rating with a stable outlook, emphasizing the high strength factors inherent in the competitive economy that is considered to be one of the best in the world.
Pointing out that the Qatari economy has managed to face all challenges and overcome them in the past period, which helped it gain immunity and strength to continue its growth, as it abounds with many investment opportunities, in addition to continuing to implement major vital projects in the country and also praised the role of the government in supporting the private sector During the current period, indicating the confidence of businessmen that the Qatari economy will continue its outstanding performance in light of the support and care of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar.
In addition to that, Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani, QBA Board member said that the committee concerned with studying obstacles facing the private sector and proposing appropriate solutions, which was established last year by a decision of His Excellency the Prime Minister, is considered a platform for the private sector to inform the government of the problems and the challenges that hinder its work, and the committee propose suggestions and discuss ways to solve it with the concerned authorities. This committee is considered a representative of the private sector and has continued its work since then, to focus on the most prominent obstacles facing the private sector and ways to overcome it and have successed in defining certain points directly targeted to work on them during the coming period, it’s worth mentioning that a number of its results were reviewed during the meeting with His Excellency the Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior as well.