The economic blockade has led to more opportunities for growth and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Qatar’s manufacturing sector, an official of a local company said.
Rajesh Raveendran, sales manager of Doha Regional Plastic Solutions, noted that because of increased demand for locally-manufactured products, business operations of domestic companies “improved further” since the blockade.
“The blockade made us stronger and we now have hope because of the government’s efforts to promote the local manufacturing industry. Our goal now is to expand our operations.
“We now have a lot of work here in Doha, and our contractors are supporting us,” Raveendran told Gulf Times on the sidelines of Qatar Development Bank’s (QDB) second edition of ‘Buy Local Products’ expo, which concluded yesterday.
According to Raveendran, increased support in the development of local companies gives Qatar a “high potential” to establish itself as a manufacturing hub for different types of industries.
The same view was expressed by Saeed Abdul Azeez al-Ali, the general manager of B-LED Lighting Technologies (Al Bayan for Electronics & LED Technologies), which specialises in the manufacture of LED lighting solutions bearing the ‘Made in Qatar’ trademark.
“There is a huge chance for the ‘Made in Qatar’ brand to grow and expand to new markets,” al-Ali said.
Al-Ali stressed that the quality of locally-made products are at par with those manufactured by leading international companies. With its own research and development (R&D) department, he said B-LED guarantees that the company’s lighting solutions comply with global standards. He said R&D does not only ensure export quality lighting solutions but it also helps the company customise its products according to the necessary project specifications of its clients.
Al-Ali also lauded His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s call to support the growth and development of local manufacturing industries. He also commended the support of QDB and Public Works Authority (Ashghal) during the recent staging of the two-day ‘Buy Local Products’ exhibition.
He also underscored the role of QDB’s export promotion arm, Tasdeer, in helping local companies like B-LED penetrate international markets.
Raveendran said: “QDB is doing a great job in promoting the growth of the country’s SMEs, and it is also supporting us in meeting new clients and sourcing exports, as well as providing backups for our factories. Tasdeer also helps us connect with the best clients in the international market, and they also provide us with pertinent information and background about these clients.”
Potential clients visit the Al Bayan for Electronics & LED Technology stand. PICTURE: Peter Alagos
