Qatar’s e-commerce market set to rise threefold by 2022

The value of the country’s e-commerce market is expected to witness a threefold growth by 2022 as more companies in Qatar adapt to digital technology, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti has said.

Citing official figures, the minister noted during the ‘e-Commerce Forum Qatar 2018’ on Tuesday that the total global e-commerce from companies to consumers touched $2.2tn in 2017. In Qatar, the e-commerce market is expected to grow from QR4.7bn ($1.3bn) in 2017 QR12bn ($3.2bn) by 2022, al-Sulaiti told reporters on the sidelines of the event, where he also announced the launching of ministry’s ‘e-commerce Guidelines’.Also, al-Sulaiti said the ministry recorded a growth in e-commerce among Qatar consumers from 14% in 2016 to 20% in 2017. “In Qatar, the e-commerce market has shown healthy growth consistent with global rates…we are seeing increasing numbers of companies seeking to provide e-commerce domestically, with strong performance, especially in the service sector, and the pace is growing as private car transport, food delivery, and local car services become easier and more efficient,” al-Sulaiti said.HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti tours the exhibition area of the forum. Joining him are (from left) QDB CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar al-Baker, and HE the Qatar Central Bank Governor Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud al-Thani. The minister stressed that Qatar’s efforts in the field of digital technology accelerated Qatar’s international rankings in e-commerce by 15 points from 2015, citing a 2017 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) report. “On the other hand, the local system of startups plays a role in creating innovative solutions to the unique needs of consumers in Qatar, and as we expect, the more we can meet those needs, the more the e-commerce market in Qatar thrives,” al-Sulaiti said.The minister said Qatar has “many elements” and infrastructure to create a conducive e-commerce environment, adding that Qatar boasts of a 94% digital penetration rate and 100% Internet penetration rate.During his speech, al-Sulaiti said the ministry’s ‘e-commerce Guidelines’ is a first-of-its-kind in Qatar “and a model to be followed in the Arab region.”The guidelines will help merchants through all touchpoints involved in starting and implementing a successful e-commerce business. The guidelines are the result of a thorough collaborative effort with local, regional, and international stakeholders across the entire e-commerce value chain – from product creation to consumer receipt of the product.By the end of 2018, al-Sulaiti also said the ministry will launch the ministry’s ‘Trustmark’, an innovative project that aims to enhance consumer confidence in Qatar’s e-commerce sector.“At the same time, the ministry is making a great effort to create strategic partnerships with local and international entities to help local small and medium-sized enterprises expand their markets and access the latest technology achievements,” al-Sulaiti said.He added: “The spread of e-commerce increases its contribution to economic development, providing better corporate access to consumers, improving business efficiency, expanding trade and investment opportunities, and fostering innovation, diversity and competitiveness.”