Strategic food stock in Qatar can last more than a year, says Minister

Food security has remained a top priority for Qatar. The country intensified its focus on this field, particularly since the illegal blockade was imposed on it in 2017.

Working above and beyond, Qatar was able to massively increase its self-sufficiency rates.

Now, Qatar is 106 percent self-sufficient in dairy and 124 percent self-sufficient in poultry, the Government Communications Office (GCO) highlighted recently.

The country also secures its position as first in the Arab world in the Economist’s Food Security Index for 2019.

At the Kuala Lumpur 2019 Summit, His Excellency Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari underlined the emphasis Qatar lays on ensuring food security in the country.

He mentioned that Qatar developed its National Food Security Strategy 2019-2023 to unite efforts among concerned authorities, enhance the use of the country’s natural and water resources, fortify the food security system against shocks and during emergencies, promote local production and maintain a safe and healthy strategic shock, among other measures.

The GCO reiterated this in a recent tweet, saying “Qatar has successfully diversified import sources and secured a strategic stock to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods into the country during any crisis or emergency.”

Yesterday, HE Al Kuwari visited several hypermarkets across Qatar to take a closer look at the strategic stock of goods including food and gain insights into the current consumer demands.

HE the Minister said Qatar’s strategic reserve of food stock commodities is enough to last for more than a year.

Qatar’s policies are moving ahead at the same pace without any change, he said, calling on suppliers, outlets and local manufacturers to continue providing goods according to the consumers’ demands, as normal.

He also noted that since Qatar’s imports are continuing without disruption, all products that consumers need are readily available.

HE the Minister also emphasized the role retailers can play in ensuring market stability by addressing consumer needs and regularly restocking shelves.

Any outlet that tries to take advantage of the crisis will face closure and a fine in accordance with Consumer Protection Law No 8 of 2008, he said.

The Ministry continues to monitor the market to keep a check on the availability of food and consumer items needed by the citizens and residents, he added.

H.E. Mr. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Minister of Commerce and Industry, toured a number of hypermarkets to inspect, assess and monitor markets, and ensure the availability of food and consumer goods at stable prices. #Qatar #YourSafetyIsMySafety pic.twitter.com/IiDtfp8LHr

— وزارة التجارة والصناعة (@MOCIQatar) April 8, 2020

Earlier, in another reassuring step, Qatar had also inked deals with 14 major companies, specializing in the food sector in the country.

The different contracts come under Qatar’s efforts to increase the strategic stock of food and consumer goods. They are aligned with the country’s food security plans as well as with the MOCI's endeavors to shore up public-private sector partnerships.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Qatar continue to implement the highest level of monitoring, detection, and management procedures to deal with the virus, the public has been advised to follow certain measures to safeguard their health.

For any queries, or concerns related to COVID-19 in Qatar, the public can contact a 24/7 hotline set up by the Ministry. The hotline number is 16000 and is toll-free.

Here's everything you need to know about the virus, including ways to protect yourself.

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Cover and Inline Images Credit: QNA