There will be lot of opportunities for Qatar’s private sector as the state gears up to set up facilities for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Prime Minister tells a meeting organised by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry , HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani has called on private Qatari companies to join together and enhance capabilities to make the best use of opportunities that will be available with the country’s rapid economic development. “There will be lot of opportunities for you (private sector) as Qatar gears up to set up facilities for the FIFA World Cup 2022. But in order to cash in on the opportunities, the private sector must improve its skills to meet the requirements of projects involving high-calibre jobs,” Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said while addressing a meeting organised by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Sheraton last night. In reply to a question on why international companies are preferred over local firms on specific projects, the Prime Minister said: “The nature of certain jobs is such that local companies cannot handle them by themselves. But this is not limited to Qatar. For instance, Germany is making use of Chinese firms in the construction industry. This is a global reality which we must be taken into account.” Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said HH the Emir and HH the Heir Apparent had given clear instructions to complete infrastructure, utilities and education projects within a timeframe of six years. The New Doha International Airport will be ready by 2013. Works on road projects, including the Doha Expressway, are fast nearing completion. The government, he said, had formed a committee to study the “anticipated shortage” of raw materials required by the construction industry. This would enable the government to procure them and avoid any price spiral. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said there was “absolute transparency” in deciding on tenders for joint ventures that would be carried out in Qatar over the next few years. He said the government had attached top priority to small and medium enterprises and been supporting them with all possible assistance. Under government instructions, Qatar Development Bank had initiated a scheme to help SMEs, he added. He pointed out that there was a proposal to locate all used car showrooms at a designated area instead of them being scattered as at present. On a proposal to set up a “farm city” for agricultural produce, the Prime Minister said: “The government has set up Hassad to deal with this. Hassad is already on the job.” On a complaint that private sector was not getting adequate opportunities in the portfolios currently being handled by Karwa, Barwa and Qatari Diar, he said: “These companies have been set up to provide specific services to the people – both Qataris and residents, on affordable rates. For example, Barwa has been set up to cool down the rising rents. Our concern is to make life comfortable and affordable for common people in our country.” HE the Deputy Premier and Chief of Emiri Diwan Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Qatari Businessmen Association chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassem al-Thani and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani were among those present

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