Qatar expands economic zones in a bid to encourage small and medium enterprises
Ever since the illegal siege of Qatar began, the country has been doing a lot to improve businesses within the country.
In a bold move, the country has announced an ambitious new plan which will see a major expansion of the economic zone for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), reported Gulf Times.
An additional area of 825,000SqM will be developed and it will provide necessary infrastructure and basic services for industrial projects.
The expansion is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2019, said Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada.
Minister of Energy and Industry announces the launch of the expansion of the Small and Medium Enterprises economic zone to about 825,000 meters squared, including infrastructure and basic services needed for industrial projects pic.twitter.com/wN7NCJA6AB
This will bring the total area of economic zones in the country to more than 11 million SqM, he added.
Al Sada also felicitated 45 owners of Qatari manufacturing facilities who enhanced their production considerably after the imposition of the illegal blockade.
“The ceremony is patronised by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to not only recognise business owners who increased production, but also to promote the ‘Made in Qatar’ initiative,” Al Sada said.
The top minister said 98 factories had begun actual production since the start of the unjust blockade as against 55 in the year preceding the blockade. At last count, the total number of factories functioning inside the country stands at 812, he was quoted as saying by Qatar Tribune.
“In a spirit of patriotism and utmost responsibility, many business owners either opened new manufacturing units or scaled up production in line with the needs of various sectors of the national economy," Al Sada said.
“What we’ve seen following this is truly admirable and very encouraging. These manufacturing facilities totally replaced goods and products from the siege countries that have become unavailable in the local market. On top of that, we now have better quality and competitively priced products in the local market,” he added.
Minister of Energy and Industry announces the launch of the industrial database, an interactive electronic platform that will have strategic importance in the field of industrial planning
