Companies Importing Primary Materials Seek Alternatives, Stress Stock is Sufficient for 12 Months

Doha, June 11 (QNA) - A number of representatives of companies importing primary materials in Qatar have discussed options to find new import destinations instead of the three boycotting countries.   During a meeting held in Qatar Chamber today, which brought together a number of representatives of stakeholders in the field of import and storage, the representatives of these companies said they have already begun contracting with neighboring countries to provide them with their needs of primary construction materials. Engineer Eisa Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC), said the company's strategic inventory including gabbro, fine sand and limestone material is sufficient for one year.   Al Hammadi announced that QPMC is in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment to issue special tenders for private sector companies to recycle construction waste and drilling products into usable products.   Importers of building materials called for facilitating import and storage procedures, allocating a logistical land to store goods and reviewing storage charges.   For his part, Captain Abdullah Khonji, Chief executive officer of Qatar Ports Management Company (MWANI Qatar) said that the company has granted importing building materials in light of the current conditions which urged to harness its enormous potential to import building materials. Qatar Chamber (QC) Vice-Chairman Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari said Qatar has many options and alternatives to meet needs of the local market for all commodities, whether foodstuffs or primary construction materials He pointed out that the launch of two new direct service between Hamad Port and Sohar Port and Port of Salalah in Oman would help in boosting the movement of Qatari imports from around the world, thanks to their close position to the Silk Road, which links China with Asian and European countries.   He called on Qatari businessmen to invest in Omani ports and not only to import goods through them, stressing keenness of the Omani private sector to enter into investment partnerships with Qatari businessmen in both countries.    The opportunity is now ready to build partnerships with Omani businessmen aimed at establishing projects in the Sultanate, especially in Omani ports, he stressed.   The strength of the Qatari economy and the awareness of businessmen were crucial factors to prevent demand-supply gap in the domestic market since the first day of the crisis by covering goods that were coming from the boycott countries with other alternatives from other countries without any impact on the consumer, he said. In this context, Al Kuwari lauded the great response by businessmen with the pivotal role played by Qatar Chamber. Ali Abdul-Latif Al Misnad, member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber and Honorary Treasurer, said the Qatari economy was not affected by the GCC boycott and showed great strength and cohesion following the break of diplomatic ties by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain.   Food imports to the Qatari market continued at a faster pace through the contracts of traders with exporters from other countries, he said, adding that daily food products have arrived from Turkey and other markets thus the consumer did not feel any shortage of food.   Al Misnad highlighted the pivotal role being played by Qatar Chamber by holding meetings with traders and businessmen, praising its ongoing efforts to overcome all obstacles facing them and discuss those obstacles with the concerned parties in order to resolve them. (QNA)