Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) officially launched the "National Product Week" to promote awareness surrounding the importance of national industries and encourage consumers to support local products, thereby contributing to sustainable development. This significant initiative aims to reflect Qatar's commitment to bolstering its industrial sector, as highlighted by Saleh Majid Al Khulaifi, the Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at MOCI, who stated, "National Product Week is one of the significant initiatives to support national industry." The event emphasizes the quality of Qatari products and seeks to improve their competitiveness not just locally, but also regionally.
The launching ceremony drew attention to how the initiative enhances collaboration between public and private sectors. Al Khulaifi elaborated on MOCI's efforts, saying, "This event reflects MOCI's commitment to supporting the industrial sector, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030." The strategies implemented by MOCI include 15 major initiatives encompassing over 60 developmental projects aimed at eleviating the efficiency of the industrial sector and stimulating investments.
Dr. Mohamad Ahmad Al Sayed, Director of the National Product Competitiveness Support Department at MOCI, noted the observable growth correlated to the initiative, evidenced by last year's retail outlets which recorded a remarkable 75 percent increase in sales of national products during the previous edition. He remarked, "Through this initiative, the ministry seeks to ... achieve economic sustainability," demonstrating clear progress and intent within Qatar's economic vision.
Reinforcing this positive trend is the notable increase of national products from 1,727 in 2023 to 1,814 currently. Coupled with this is the industrial sector's growth, with the number of registered factories surging from 58 last year to 994 this year—an inspiring indicator of Qatar’s advancing industrial capacity.
Meanwhile, Qatar is also fostering its tourism industry through the launch of the new campaign by Visit Qatar titled 'Welcome Our Dear Neighbours'. This initiative invites visitors from neighboring GCC countries to partake in Ramadan festivities and reflects the essence of Qatari hospitality. The theme of the campaign, "Ramadan is Better With You," embodies the spirit of unity and cultural richness during this holy month.
Visitors can expect immersive experiences through the second edition of the Throwback Food Festival, making it one of the standout features of the Ramadan campaign. Attendees will be able to engage with various cultural activities, including heritage games, storytelling, and puppet theatre performances. According to Visit Qatar, these events are aimed at showcasing Qatar’s rich traditions and encouraging participation beyond just the local community.
The festival will culminate with the vibrant Garangao celebrations, solidifying its position as the ideal Ramadan destination for families and visitors. The accessibility of these events fosters community participation, as Qatar residents can host family and friends through the Hayya platform.
On another front, the government of Qatar has signed a five-year agreement with Scale AI, introducing AI-driven tools aimed at revolutionizing government services across the Gulf state. Trevor Thompson, Scale AI's global head of growth, commented on the significance of the deal, stating, "(This deal) can be a blueprint for other governments around the world." Over the next five years, Qatar’s government will adopt advanced tools for predictive analytics, automation, and data processing to streamline operations.
Through this partnership, Scale AI plans to develop over 50 applications aimed at improving government functions, showcasing Qatar's ambition to emerge as a leader within the AI sector amid regional competition from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Derived from its experience helping leading companies, including Microsoft, Scale AI seeks to tailor its expertise to meet Qatar's unique requirements.
Collectively, these initiatives showcase Qatar's commitment to not only enhancing governmental functions but also to nurturing national identity through substantial efforts to support local industries and integrate advanced technology within its frameworks. Al Khulaifi's emphasis on initiatives reinforcing national industries and tourist engagements cannot be overlooked as they encapsulate the essence of Qatar’s vision for sustainable growth and community development.
With these combined efforts, Qatar stands on the threshold of significant transformation, merging innovation with tradition to cultivate both economic resilience and rich cultural heritage, setting potentially impactful precedents for the region.