Referendum serves interests of citizens, Qatar: Sheikh Khalifa

Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani is expecting a consensus among Qatari citizens in support of the amendments to the permanent constitution of the country signed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and approved by the Advisory Council.According to Sheikh Khalifa, he is anticipating wide participation in the referendum Tuesday. He also affirmed his unwavering confidence in the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir, stating that the constitutional amendments serve the interests of the citizens and the country.He said, "We support this constitutional amendment and will be at the forefront on the day of the referendum to say ‘Yes’. The decision to revert to the system of appointing the Advisory Council serves the interests of the country and its citizens, as it focuses on selecting the most competent, reputable, and experienced individuals rather than merely those with the most votes. It also preserves social cohesion among Qatari families.”Sheikh Khalifa noted the Amir’s commitment to national unity and equal citizenship, as well as enhancing the rule of law and the values of justice and equality in rights and duties among members of the Qatari community. He said, "The call for a referendum on these amendments reflects our wise leadership’s commitment to strengthen the participation of the people of Qatar in steps that enhance the future of the country, sustain growth, and unite the people, which is our source of strength in facing challenges.”Sheikh Khalifa noted that the directives of "our wise leadership always prioritize the welfare of citizens and guide the country towards growth and development.” He emphasised the significant positive interaction among the Qatari people with the call for the referendum on the constitutional amendments, as they will open new horizons for cohesion and unity among the people of Qatar."The wise leadership’s commitment to enhancing public participation in decision-making is clear; the approval of the constitutional amendments will positively impact the future of the country and safeguard the achievements we have made over the years in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030,” he said.Sheikh Khalifa said the significant developments Qatar has witnessed over the past years were aligned with a comprehensive vision and clear strategy that secured Qatar’s distinguished status regionally and globally across all levels, particularly regarding sustainable economic growth, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and the development of national human resources, which are the foundation for achieving sustainable development.He affirmed that providing more investment incentives and enhancing the business environment will encourage the private sector to inject new investments, especially in vital sectors, such as industry, attracting foreign investments, and establishing partnerships that contribute to transferring advanced technology and industries to our country. This will boost economic growth and increase private sector exports to international markets, he said.Sheikh Khalifa noted the expansion of the petrochemical industry, transforming Qatar into a centre for re-exporting high-value products, enhancing tourism to make Qatar the preferred tourist destination in the region, developing the digital economy, focusing on artificial intelligence, promoting Qatar as a centre for higher education, and increasing private sector participation in vital sectors and projects will strengthen the success of the economic diversification strategy and build a knowledge-based economy.He lauded Qatar's efforts in the optimal exploitation of its natural resources and the completion of expansion projects in natural gas production to raise output from the current 77mn tonnes annually to 126mn tonnes by 2027 and to reach 142mn tonnes annually before the end of this decade, which will support the state’s revenues and create a significant qualitative shift in the national economy under the implementation of the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030).Sheikh Khalifa expressed optimism about the upcoming phase and the substantial public participation in the referendum on the constitutional amendments, noting that the referendum reflects the strong cohesion between our wise leadership and the Qatari people, paving the way for further achievements in all areas.