DOHA: The private sector is all set to get a big boost with the government hinting it is ready to give it a free hand in developing the national economy to reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons.
The government yesterday decided that its ministries and institutions, including entities funded by it, will not launch any new companies or projects or expand existing companies and businesses without special approval in a bid to ensure that the state doesn’t compete with private businesses.
The approval is to come from the office of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.
He has issued instructions to all the ministries and state agencies, including autonomous authorities and entities funded by the government, to the above effect.
The idea is to make sure that the government doesn’t pose any competition to the private sector and the latter is free to play its role in an unrestricted way to develop the national economy.
In his address to the Advisory Council on November 11, The Emir, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, called on the Qatari business community to play a bigger role in the national economy and in building infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA event.
In the days to come the government will focus on sectors like education, healthcare, transport, construction and infrastructure and encourage the private sector in the other sectors.
Asked to cite an example of a government business that is competing with private businesses, financial analyst and investment expert Abdullah Al Khater told this newspaper: “Barwa Real Estate Company offhand comes to my mind”.
The role of the government should be that of supervision and legislation, he said. “The government doesn’t have the ability of the private sector, so it shouldn’t compete with them. The competition should only be within the private sector.”
Meanwhile, Qatari businessmen are gearing up for their much-awaited consultative meeting with the Prime Minister and Interior Minister on Wednesday.
The meeting, to be held at the Ritz-Carlton, is being organised by Qatar Chamber, the representative body of the private sector.
Qatari businessmen will be raising their woes and problems at the event. Mohamed bin Ahmed Tawar Al Kuwari, vice-chairman of the Chamber, told QNA the last five such meetings had helped solve some 80 percent of the problems private businesses faced.
The Chamber’s chairman, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassem Al Thani, said the government had plans to reduce its role in businesses and encourage the private sector to play a bigger role.
This would help in making the Qatari economy a self-sustaining one in future in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
THE PENINSULA
