Qatar’s growing trade and exhibitions industry is playing a substantial role in the development of various sectors of the country, and is serving as a platform for the private sector to expand to other markets, a top chamber official has said.
Qatar Chamber director general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi said the global exhibitions industry has helped promote local and international economic sectors, as well as spur foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow and tourism activities.
“In Qatar, the exhibitions sector plays a substantial role in enhancing economic development, investments, and tourism, as well as it activates the hospitality sector and its related activities and helps in developing the industrial sector, which is the backbone of any developed economy,” al-Sharqi said in the latest issue of Al Moltaqa, Qatar Chamber’s monthly economic magazine.
“Qatar has successfully managed to prove its position as a regional and global hub for major fairs, exhibitions, and economic events, thanks to the provision of a well-developed infrastructure and mega centres set to host trade exhibitions of all types,” he continued.
According to al-Sharqi, this success generally had a significant impact on Qatar’s industries and products. In the industrial sector, al-Sharqi said exhibitions contribute to the promotion and development of local products.
Trade exhibitions also help identify products of other countries and the technology they are using. These events also serve as a platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices, which would help in the development of the local industry, he explained.
Al-Sharqi said these factors prompted Qatar Chamber to organise the ‘Made in Qatar’ expo in 2009 with the aim to promote the local industry both in the local and international markets.
Aside from organising ‘Made in Qatar’, which was held in Oman last year, the chamber is also interested in joining exhibitions held in the country to help stimulate Qatar’s various economic sectors.
“In this context, the chamber participated last year in many events, including the ‘International Products Exhibitions and Conference’ (Ipec), ‘Made at Home’, ‘Milipol Qatar’, ‘Moushtarayat’, ‘Agritech 2018’, and ‘Idex 2018’, among others,” he said.
Al-Sharqi added, “Exhibitions are now a promising platform for the private sector and would help in activating its key role in the economic process. In addition, they provide a good opportunity for private sector companies to exchange experience and technology and stimulate competitiveness and help in promoting their products and in forging commercial transactions and partnerships.”
