‘Buy Local Products’ exhibition opens

Some 60 local companies, including those in the energy, water and recycling market sector, are taking part in the 3rd edition of the ‘Buy Local Products’ exhibition, which opened on Sunday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The two-day event aims to provide more opportunities for Qatari small and medium enterprises to grow and expand their operations. The opening was attended by HE the Minister of Energy and Industry, Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, together with Qatar Development Bank (QDB) CEO Abdul Aziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa and Qatar General Electricity and Water Co-operation (Kahramaa) president Issa bin Hilal al-Kuwari.A panel discussion was also held as part of the programme, which focused on the efforts done to support local companies and the role they play in supporting the country’s economy. Speaking to Gulf Times, New Products Plastic Factory (Newpro) general manager Mathhar Gharaibeh said such exhibitions serve as an important platform to develop the local manufacturing industry.“This is essential to improve the quality of our products, in addition to improving the processes used internally for the local industry,” he stressed. “It can also open the doors for new ideas and help us develop our production lines in the future.”About the economic blockade imposed on Qatar by the Saudi-led bloc, Gharaibeh noted that the siege serves as a good opportunity for local companies to grow and expand their operations, apart from investing more in research and development.He added that the siege opened the door mainly for local products to thrive, especially now with fewer players in the market.According to the general manager, increasing production and expanding operations to cover the Qatar market form part of their responsibility towards the country.“The Qatar market is growing and the construction industry is very strong, all projects are going on schedule and we do not feel any project delays,” he explained.Newpro, a two-month old local company, manufactures different types of plastics such as PVC pipes, and uses a corrugated HDPE machine, a first in Qatar. Al Waab Plastics marketing manager engineer Eslam Abd Elfattah echoed the statement of Gharaibeh saying the blockade helped provide bigger opportunities for them. The company manufactures CPVC pipes and fittings, mainly used for bearing hot and cold water.Besides offering reasonable prices, he cited their capacity to produce products at par with international companies. Technically, he said, local companies have the ability to compete with others and even produce better products, particularly “in a market that accepts something new.”Elfattah lauded the efforts of QDB and Kahramma for continuously supporting them.