Qatar Chamber Discusses Plans to Develop Business Environment in Qatar

Doha, January 09 (QNA) - Qatar Chamber discussed a number of targeted plans to develop the business environment in the State, where it reviewed the obstacles that face this goal. It also discussed plans to reduce shipping charges and the ways to facilitate the delivery of incoming containers to ports. This came in a meeting held by the Services Committee at the chamber, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Municipality, Mwani Qatar and the General Directorate of Traffic from the Ministry of Interior. The meeting was also attended by representatives from a number of shipping and trade companies. The attendees agreed to work on the development of business environment plans and follow up on them. They also discussed Hamad Port's issue on stopping the receipt of bitumen from November 22, 2018. Director of Hamad Port Captain Abdul Aziz Al Yafei said the port stopped importing bitumen due to the ability of industrial ports in the State to do so such as the ports of Mesaieed and Ras Laffan. He then referred to Law No. 30 of 2002 on the import of carbohydrates, which states that it is prohibited to import such materials except through industrial ports or through closed containers. The committee agreed to consult with the concerned authorities to facilitate the procedures for the importation of that bitumen. The participants also agreed to hold a joint meeting with representatives of shipping companies and International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) to discuss the criteria for determining the prices of shipping services. (QNA)