Doha, February 04 (QNA) - HE Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani called for expanding the contribution of private sector and national companies to government procurement.

This came during a meeting of the chamber with Director of the Department Government Procurement Regulation Department at the Ministry of Finance Nayef Al Hababi. The meeting dealt with mechanisms to develop government procurement and enhance local content, particularly concerning the Ministry’s mandatory list for government entities. The meeting also addressed the main challenges facing local companies and factories in government tenders, alongside their proposals to overcome these challenges and increase reliance on national products.

HE Chairman of the Qatar Chamber highlighted that Qatari products were of high quality and meet international standards, enabling government entities to rely on them in public procurement. He further noted that Qatar Chamber will work, through continuous coordination with government entities, to convey the concerns of national companies and address the challenges they face.

For his part, Al Hababi said that the meeting aimed to listen from local companies on the challenges they face, so they can explore solutions for them. In this regard, he highlighted the mandatory list, which requires government agencies to purchase national products unless an approved exception applies. He noted that the list aims to support local industry, enhance product quality, boost economic growth, reduce import dependence, and create jobs, while promoting technology transfer and innovation.

As for the exemptions, Al Ahbabi said that they apply only if the product was unavailable locally, if national factories cannot meet demand on time, or if local prices exceed foreign prices beyond the allowed limit, assuring that such exemption requests are reviewed by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

HE Chairman of the Qatar Chamber suggested holding a meeting between the Ministry of Finance and consulting firms to discuss the technical matters and specifications that companies must adhere to. (QNA)