Monthly Economic Magazine - issued by Qatar chamber -Issue No. 76 - January - 2019 A year with achievements Chairman: and successes Economic achievements keep pace with celebrations of National Day Business isits or Qatari businessmen to riendly countries organised 7 Activities events hosted during 201 Seminars and orums revie 170 private sector-related issues and asirations 26 MOUs signed to enhance cooperation ties ith 9 foreign rivate sector raining courses held ith more than 20 articipants Foreign trade delegation 12 95 visited the Q QDB_Corporate_Ad(OL)(A4).pdf 1 10/14/18 2:01 PM C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Editorial Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani Qatar Chamber Chairmam Qatar budget 2019 catalyse more economic accomplishments atar’s national budget for 2019 confirmed underpin the public-private partnership as Qthe strength of its economy despite an the private sector is qualified and owns great ongoing siege imposed on the country by potentials and experience to contribute to the neighbouring countries since mid-2017. implementation of these projects. The budget forecasts a surplus of QR 4.3 bn The new budget clearly supports plans and in 2019, the first in three years, despite the trends adopted by the country in its march to increase in expenses by 1.7% compared to the achieve the sustainable development. It also past year. emphasized the country’s sound fiscal schemes in dealing with fluctuations in oil prices (as oil It focuses on providing the necessary price is assumed at $55 a barrel). allocations for the completion of major projects that contribute to the sustainable development The year 2018 was a bright year due to Qatar’s targets of Qatar National Vision 2030. achievements, successes and excellence in various fields. Qatar’s economy continues to It also focuses on the providing support for grow at impressive rate at all sectors, especially enhancing food security projects, and the in non-oil sectors which witnessed great establishment of infrastructure and facilities development. This progress in mainly due to in free zones, special economic zones, and the effective policy of economic diversification industrial and logistics zones. This certainly will pursuant to directives of the Amir HH Sheikh have a positive impact on the private sector and Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani. the economic activity of the country as a whole. This has accordingly led to attracting more The 2019 budget stresses on completing major foreign investors around the world to invest in projects in leading sectors including healthcare, Qatar, especially in light of the pro-investment education and transportation, along with those environment and legislations reforms that related to hosting of World Cup in 2022. This stimulated more investments. Also, industry affirms that the country continues spending and agriculture sectors have seen great heavily on these projects in order to be development during 2018 alongside with - 2019 completed on schedule, especially those that significant growth in oil and gas industries that are related to hosting of the 2022 World Cup. remain artery of Qatar’s economy. Januaryr In 2019, new projects valued at QR48bn are The year 2019 is expected to see more economic expected to be awarded in various sectors. growth, especially in non-oil sectors whose These projects will boost growth in the country, contribution in the GDP is increasing year after especially in non-oil sectors. Therefore, this will year. Issue No. 76 - Issue No. 1 - 2019 Januaryr Issue No. 76 - Issue No. Article Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi Director General 2018: A Year of Activities and Events he year 2018 was an to find appropriate solutions organised 12 training courses Teventful year in the Qatar with the aim of easing business in which more than 320 Chamber. During the past year, climate in the country and individuals from various private the Chamber has successfully maximizing the private sector institutions and ministries organised and hosted a number role in the national economy. participated, in order to train of activities and events with During the past year, the as many individuals as possible a view to further promoting Chamber continued its role and improve their skills in all the Qatari private sector and in boosting relationships of aspects of career development. enhancing its contribution in Qatari businessmen with their It also opened, sponsored and the sustainable development counterparts from around the held many exhibitions held in line with principals of Qatar’s world. To do this, it hosted about inside and outside the country, National Vision 2030. 95 foreign trade delegations foremost of them is the “Made Over the year, the chamber has compared to 50 delegation in in Qatar in Oman” expo which hosted a significant number of 2017. These meetings reflected witnessed large turnout from events, seminars, conferences, a great international interest in Omani businessmen and ended workshops and exhibitions the investment climate in Qatar with signing many agreements to discuss issues and matters and high confidence in the and partnerships between of interest to the business Qatari economy. companies from both countries. community. These events It also hosted 21 meetings The expo managed to promote included workshops on Labor with a number of heads of Qatari products and industries laws, ATA Carnet, Qatar Visa state, ministers, officials and in Oman’s market and provided Centers and future projects representatives of other a significant opportunity of economic zones, as well as chambers of commerce for businessmen to explore arbitration specialized seminars and foreign institutions and investment opportunities in and trainings. organised seven business visits industrial sector. The chamber focused on for Qatari businessmen to a During 2018, the Chamber activating the role of sectorial number of friendly countries. continued its role in addressing committees as directed by the In order to enhance the siege through all possible - 2019 Chairman HE Sheikh Khalifa cooperation with all parties, ways and means, and bin Jassim Al Thani. During the institutions and chambers encouraged investors and year, the Chamber’s sectorial of commerce, the Chamber businessmen to direct their Januaryr committees reviewed private signed about 9 agreements investments to the industrial sector-related issues and and memorandums of and food sectors, in addition to obstacles facing each sector understanding. supporting small and medium with concerned authorities During 2018, the Chamber enterprises. Issue No. 76 - Issue No. 3 In this issue Monthly Economic Magazine - issued by Qatar chamber -Issue No. 76 - January - 2019 A year with achievements Chairman: Economic achievementsand keep pace successes with celebrations of National Day Business visits for Qatari businessmen to friendly Contents Activities & events countries organised hosted during 2018 170 7 Seminars and forums review private sector-related issues MOUs signed to enhance and aspirations Monthly Economic Magazine cooperation ties with 26 9 foreign private sector Training courses held with Foreign trade delegation more than 320 participants issued by 95 visited the QC 12 Chairman & Editor –in-Chief Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani Chairman attends GCC trade ministers, chambers meeting Director General and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Salih Bin Hamad Al Sharqi 08 Managing Editor Nael Salah Photography Entsar Nasir QC, MADLSA review Translated by: activating their joint Mohamed Tohamy committee Layout & Design Uday Al-Tai 06 Printed by [email protected] QC, Palestinian Trade Council sign MoU to In 2018, Qatar Chamber continued boost cooperation its role in representing and serving the private sector through organising over 170 activities and 23 events including conferences, seminars, workshops and meetings with trade delegations. During 2018, the QC developed the services it provides to its members and the private sector as part of its endeavours to achieve a significant presence among Leadership’s support - 2019 leading global chambers. helps Qatari woman to It also continued its cooperation lead prominent positions with all ministries and authorities , al-Ahmadani Januaryr concerned in the State to overcome all obstacles facing the private sector. 28 Editor Issue No. 76 - Issue No. 4 Sheikh Khalifa: Also read in the issue Our achievements match celebrations of National Day QC, TOGY sign partnership to 22 produce TOGY Qatar 2019 12 Qatar posts QR2.24bn non-oil 34 exports in November 2018 QC’s Food Safety Summit 39 highlights issues facing food industry Health Committee lauds state’s 32 support to pharmaceutical factories 10 QC trained 716 customs QC celebrate National Day 38 brokers and representatives since 2015 QICCA review extension of 39 time in construction projects Contracting Committee review 32 means of protecting sub- contractors Establishing a joint Iraqi-Qatari 38 29 company for investment Qualification and Preparation of reviewed Arbitrators Programme concluded All queries can be directed to the Managing Editor www.qatarchamber.com [email protected] P.O B: 402- Doha- Qatar Tel: 44559111 – 44555803 QC holds discussions with Fax: 44661639 – 44661697 Syrian trade delegation For Ads Contact on 26 Tel: 44555803 Mob: 55800563 - 2019 Januaryr Follow us on Social Media Issue No. 76 - Issue No. 5 News QC, MADLSA review strengthening cooperation relations he Qatar Chamber’s (QC)Chairman HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani met Twith HE Yousef Bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro Minister of Administrative