HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari said that the Qatar National Day is an occasion to celebrate the huge and honourable achievements made through the vision of the wise leadership, and a milestone for maintaining the values of solidarity, unity and patriotism, which were established by the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, who placed the foundation for establishing the State of Qatar that turned the State into a cohesive society and a united and independent country.
In exclusive statements to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of the National Day, HE the Minister said that the slogan of the National Day this year, "We praise you, the Lord of the Throne", taken from poetic verses from the founder of the State of Qatar, translates authentic meanings on which the leaders and sons of the country were raised on, who believed that the path of victory could not be achieved except with determination, patience and making massive sacrifices with the help of God Almighty.
HE explained that the leaders of the State, since its establishment, have exerted everything that would raise the country and its people, and the State of Qatar today has become a civilised, developmental and economic model to be emulated.
He pointed out that the State of Qatar has pursued inspiring development policies that ensures self-reliance, co-operation and international openness as the strategic principles to raise various regional and global challenges, especially the economic repercussions of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
HE the Minister stressed that Qatar, thanks to the guidance of its wise leadership, has demonstrated its ability to deal with one of the most difficult challenges by adopting a flexible strategy that places the health and safety of citizens and residents at the top of its priorities, and has directed an important part of its efforts to preserve the strength and durability of its national economy.
HE said that the country has moved forward towards continuing its march to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, as it adopted an inspiring model in crisis management by adopting integrated mechanisms and procedures that ensured the sustainability of the economy and business continuity and enabled recovery and restoration of growth within a record period.
The State of Qatar succeeded in maintaining its credit rating, with the testimony of studies conducted by international institutions for 2020 that unanimously affirmed the country's high credit rating and confirmed the stable future outlook for its economy, HE the Minister, al-Kuwari added, indicating in the same context that the IMF confirmed in its latest reports on promising prospects for the Qatari economy, which is expected to achieve growth of 3% between 2021-2022.
HE the Minister noted that these economic indicators translate the speedy measures taken by the State, which are balanced between strengthening the immunity and integrity of financial and banking markets and the general budget on the one hand, and supporting the private sector on the other.
In this regard, HE indicated that the State allocated about QR75bn in financial and economic incentives to private sector enterprises, including small, medium and micro-enterprises, which contributed to reducing their burdens and encouraging them to maintain the continuity of their business under the current circumstances.
Regarding the role of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry during the pandemic, HE the Minister explained that the ministry, in turn, was keen to accelerate the response to the impact of Covid-19 and to organise commercial and industrial activities in accordance with the procedures and measures adopted to limit the spread of the pandemic and protect the health and safety of citizens and residents.
Necessary decisions and circulars were issued to stop some commercial activities and then the restrictions imposed on these sectors were gradually lifted in line with the stages set by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, HE the Minister pointed out, adding that in parallel with this, an important set of awareness-raising campaigns about sound business and health practices were launched to intensify inspection campaigns on various commercial activities in the country.
HE confirmed the Ministry's direction, through the committee concerned with studying and addressing the private sector's obstacles, towards co-ordinating co-operation with the various concerned government agencies in order to approve a set of exemptions in support of the private sector, such as cancelling the rental value of industrial land for a period of six months for factories in the Small and Medium Enterprises Zone and Mesaieed, in addition to exempting operating factories from paying electricity and water fees for a period of six months.
He pointed out that an important qualitative leap had been achieved in the path of supporting national companies, referring to the role of the recently issued Public-Private Partnership Law (PPP law) in framing the contribution of private sector institutions and motivating them to participate in the implementation of the country's major development projects, especially projects related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup organisation.
HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry affirmed that the Ministry will continue to work to raise all challenges that would face the various components of the private sector and support them in the economic recovery phase from the pandemic and direct them towards priority economic sectors based on technology, scientific research and development as they are considered the locomotive of the national economy towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.
HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari extended congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani; His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani; and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, expressing honour in renewing the covenant and loyalty to His Highness the Amir and determination to serve the State.
HE explained that the leaders of the State, since its establishment, have exerted everything that would raise the country and its people, and the State of Qatar today has become a civilised, developmental and economic model to be emulated.
He pointed out that the State of Qatar has pursued inspiring development policies that ensures self-reliance, co-operation and international openness as the strategic principles to raise various regional and global challenges, especially the economic repercussions of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
HE the Minister stressed that Qatar, thanks to the guidance of its wise leadership, has demonstrated its ability to deal with one of the most difficult challenges by adopting a flexible strategy that places the health and safety of citizens and residents at the top of its priorities, and has directed an important part of its efforts to preserve the strength and durability of its national economy.
HE said that the country has moved forward towards continuing its march to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, as it adopted an inspiring model in crisis management by adopting integrated mechanisms and procedures that ensured the sustainability of the economy and business continuity and enabled recovery and restoration of growth within a record period.
The State of Qatar succeeded in maintaining its credit rating, with the testimony of studies conducted by international institutions for 2020 that unanimously affirmed the country's high credit rating and confirmed the stable future outlook for its economy, HE the Minister, al-Kuwari added, indicating in the same context that the IMF confirmed in its latest reports on promising prospects for the Qatari economy, which is expected to achieve growth of 3% between 2021-2022.
HE the Minister noted that these economic indicators translate the speedy measures taken by the State, which are balanced between strengthening the immunity and integrity of financial and banking markets and the general budget on the one hand, and supporting the private sector on the other.
In this regard, HE indicated that the State allocated about QR75bn in financial and economic incentives to private sector enterprises, including small, medium and micro-enterprises, which contributed to reducing their burdens and encouraging them to maintain the continuity of their business under the current circumstances.
Regarding the role of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry during the pandemic, HE the Minister explained that the ministry, in turn, was keen to accelerate the response to the impact of Covid-19 and to organise commercial and industrial activities in accordance with the procedures and measures adopted to limit the spread of the pandemic and protect the health and safety of citizens and residents.
Necessary decisions and circulars were issued to stop some commercial activities and then the restrictions imposed on these sectors were gradually lifted in line with the stages set by the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, HE the Minister pointed out, adding that in parallel with this, an important set of awareness-raising campaigns about sound business and health practices were launched to intensify inspection campaigns on various commercial activities in the country.
HE confirmed the Ministry's direction, through the committee concerned with studying and addressing the private sector's obstacles, towards co-ordinating co-operation with the various concerned government agencies in order to approve a set of exemptions in support of the private sector, such as cancelling the rental value of industrial land for a period of six months for factories in the Small and Medium Enterprises Zone and Mesaieed, in addition to exempting operating factories from paying electricity and water fees for a period of six months.
He pointed out that an important qualitative leap had been achieved in the path of supporting national companies, referring to the role of the recently issued Public-Private Partnership Law (PPP law) in framing the contribution of private sector institutions and motivating them to participate in the implementation of the country's major development projects, especially projects related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup organisation.
HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry affirmed that the Ministry will continue to work to raise all challenges that would face the various components of the private sector and support them in the economic recovery phase from the pandemic and direct them towards priority economic sectors based on technology, scientific research and development as they are considered the locomotive of the national economy towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.
HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari extended congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani; His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani; and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, expressing honour in renewing the covenant and loyalty to His Highness the Amir and determination to serve the State.