Doha,November 14 (QNA) - HE Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani visited a number of the Ministry centers to assess their readiness for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

His Excellency checked the work progress in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Food Security Emergencies Follow-up Centre, specialized in following up the operational processes to supply the local markets with food and consumer items during the tournament, in an effort that stems from the Ministry's keenness to devise the appropriate scenarios to address potential challenges throughout the tournament, especially through streamlining communication mechanisms between national companies, local factories, and goods suppliers, with sales outlets.

The Ministry's efforts also seek enhancing the response to inventory shortages at sales outlets and the three central markets, in addition to testing immediate response plans for any emergency, assessing the readiness of all concerned parties in terms of handling various scenarios, assuring the understanding and awareness of joint plans, as well as defining roles and responsibilities.

The visit also entailed an explanation of the role of the Emergency Committee to ensure the import and flow of food and subsidized goods, which was formed under Ministerial Resolution No. 52 of 2022.

The aforementioned Committee handles securing all local market needs, namely food and consumer goods, and ensures access to all the supply sources and available alternatives. Moreover, it provides the appropriate conditions for importing, unloading, clearing, storing, and distributing goods, in addition to following up market developments and their supply and demand trends. It also protects competition and prevents monopolistic practices.

The Emergency Committee also takes on risk management, as well as showcasing the plans of all major entities and companies to meet local market needs in terms of main food and consumer goods.

The visit featured a briefing on the work plan of the field control teams affiliated to the Emergency Committee, aimed at ensuring the import and flow of foodstuffs and catering items. His Excellency viewed the results of the inspection campaigns conducted on all commercial establishments, namely major outlets, grocery outlets, restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, and hotels.

The campaigns seek to: ensure the availability of all consumer goods and services, deter monopolistic practices, monitor prices, and crack down on violations pertaining to the infringement of the World Cup logo intellectual property rights before, during, and after hosting the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Services Centre was also inspected, in addition to checking the workflow therein.

The Services Centre aims at streamlining the registration and commercial licensing procedures, facilitating the establishment of companies concerned with World Cup projects, and providing a variety of quick services that accommodate all investor and dealer needs.

Moreover, the Services Centre speeds up transactions that include the various Ministry sectors, and also contributes to the registration of World Cup intellectual property marks.

At the conclusion of the visit, HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry praised the efforts exerted to ensure the Ministry's readiness in preparation for this tournament. Moreover, HE the Minister called for further increasing efforts to contribute to the success of this global event, and ensure it duly reflects Qatar's position as a leading global destination at various levels.

Qatar pays great attention to the National Food Security Strategy, in a constant pursuit of enhancing the State's strategic reserves and food security

Qatar has always been in a leading position in terms of food security indicators in the region. This reflects the State's wise leadership's vision, underlying the proactive contingency plans, the citizen support programs, and the investment in crop storage, improving roads and ports, irrigation infrastructure, diversifying international trade partners and trade routes, and increasing domestic production capacity for the key perishable commodities.

Moreover, the State has expanded and modernized the logistical infrastructure in its ports and warehouses, and increased reserves of a wide range of basic foodstuffs in retail stores across Qatar. (QNA)