Qatar Chamber (QC) and the General Authority of Customs (GAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the International Road Transport Union (IRU) headquarter in Geneva on January 25.

The MOU marks QC as the TIR national guaranteeing and issuing association in Qatar.

HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti witnessed the signing of the agreement which was signed by QC Board Member, Eng Ali Abdul Latif Al Misnad, and General Authority of Customs Chairman, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, in the presence of QC Director General, Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi.

In a related context, the government of Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) to boost their co-operation in all fields of land transport.

The MoU was signed by HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and the IRU Secretary-General Umberto de Pretto.

The MoU aims at developing joint activities in the areas supporting land transport sector and developing land transport projects in Qatar in line with best practices and international standards, thus enabling Qatar to play a leading and distinctive role in this regard.

Commenting on the MOU singing , QC Board Member Al-Misnad said that the agreement reflects QC’s role in breaking the unfair blockade. He added that Qatar’s accession to TIR system comes in the context of streamlining trade, reducing costs and shipping for traders, thus reflecting positively on consumers, let alone facilitating the land transportation of goods and commodities from and to Qatar.

TIR is a globally applicable customs transit and guarantee system. It enables goods to transit from a country of origin to a country of destination in sealed load compartments that are controlled by customs via a multilateral, mutually recognised procedure, he added.

On his part, GAC Chairman said the agreement comes in the context of developing and cementing co-operation between the member states in the field of international land transport as well as terminating the restrictions and obstacles in that industry.

Al-Jamal said that the agreement will help reduce the cost of exports and, therefore, commodity prices in Qatar. “It would also cut the time spent on the delivery of imports by nearly 50%, in addition to securing the delivery of goods to final destinations with highest safety standards,” he added.

Saleh Al-Sharqi said that TIR streamlines procedures at borders, reducing the administrative burden for customs authorities and for transport and logistics companies. It cuts border waiting times significantly, saving time and money, he added.

TIR authorised operators can move goods quickly across multiple customs territories, under customs control, using a single guarantee. Harmonised systems and data exchange tools mean that operators only need to submit their declaration data once for the entire transit movement, al-Sharqi said.

The QC Director General also invited transportation companies that are interested in joining the TIR system to apply at QC and get authorised to use that system in their importation and exportation business.

He noted that transportation companies interested in joining TIR system must have at least three years of experience in international land transportation, adding that QC is now the national guaranteeing association for customs duties.

Last year, Qatar became the 73rd country to have ratified the UN TIR Convention – the global standard for customs transit, to facilitate trade and the seamless and secure movement of goods across its borders.

Member-states include countries from Europe, Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, the US and Canada. This is aimed at streamlining trade, attracting investments and raising Qatar’s transportation services efficiency through providing seamless importation, exportation and delivery of goods from and to Qatar using Qatari trucks carried on RORO cargo ships.

Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry extends to you its best compliments and wishing you good health and wellness.

We would like to invite you to attend the introductory Seminar Organized by the General Tax Authority in cooperation with Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry under the subject of “Selective Tax” on Wednesday 13 February 2019 at 11:00 am in Qatar Chamber office 2^nd floor.

This seminar aims to introduce businesspersons about the policy of the selective tax on the following products (soft drinks, energy drinks, tobacco and its derivatives).

Kindly fill the form below for your attendance & participation.

18 Feb 2019

Qatar Chamber’s First Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari met with a trade delegation from Ghana including Director of State Protocol Ahmed Hassan, Ambassador of Ghana to Qatar Emmanuel Enos and executive director of M-TechX Joseph Bonney.

The meeting reviewed cooperation relations between both countries business sectors and possibility of forging partnerships and alliances between Qatari and Ghanaian companies for the advantage of both countries’ economies.

Bin Twar praised both countries’ relations, underscoring the importance of developing their economic and investment cooperation at all standards.

Ghana is replete with investment opportunities in which Qatari businessmen can invest, assuring that Qatar Chamber highly welcomes forging genuine partnerships between companies of both sides, especially that there is an MoU signed between both chambers.

Ambassador of Ghana to Qatar, Emmanuel Enos, commended the distinct relations between Qatar and Ghana, underlining Ghana business sectors’ interest to bolster trade cooperation with their Qatari counterparts. He congratulated Qatar on the winning of the Asian Cup, adding that this win indicated that Qatar will be strongly present in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

On his part, Director of State Protocol HE Ambassador Ahmed Hassan assured his country’s willingness to deepen trade and investment relations with Qatar, noting that the Ghanaian private sector is interested to set up trade alliances and partnerships with the Qatari private sector.

He called on Qatari businessmen to identify the investment opportunities available in Ghana and invest in the African country.

18 Feb 2019

Qatar Chamber’s Assistant Director-General for Government Relations and Committee Affairs, Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansouri, held meetings yesterday with an Italian delegation representing SDA Center whose mandate is to promote Italian language and culture in the world.

The delegation was headed by SDA’s Vice-General Secretariat Dr. Andrea Vincenzoni in the presence of Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian embassy to Qatar Carlotta Colli.

The meeting touched on cooperation relations between Qatar and Italy and ways of enhancing them as well as the preparation for setting up an education center for learning Italian language in Qatar.

Attendees underlined the role of the center in bringing together Qatari and Italian companies which would lead to forging joint enterprises that serve both economies. Al Mansouri said that both countries’ economic and trade relations have significantly developed over the past few years, noting that Qatari investments in Italy have also seen remarkable growth.

He also noted that opening an Italian center in Qatar would deepen relations of their peoples. On his part, Dr. Andrea Vincenzoni said that establishing an Italian language center in Qatar stemmed out from the distinguished relations that linked both countries, noting that it would serve Qatari companies and strengthen communication between both sides’ companies. The Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian embassy to Qatar Carlotta Colli said that there are 2,500 Italian citizens living in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Al Mansouri met with the Commercial Representative at the Indian Embassy Surinder Bhgat and Senior Head of Promotion Vibrant Terry Towel Global Expo & Summit 2019 Anmol Modi.

The meeting discussed strengthening cooperation relations between both sides. The Indian delegation invited Qatari companies to participate in the expo which is scheduled 25-27 September 2019 in Solapur, India. This expo will showcase latest technologies in the sector for the products listed below to forge business partnerships worldwide.

It aims at providing an unique platform where manufacturers and buyers can interact directly with each other Providing knowledge of various types of towel and related product markets while establishing direct networking opportunities with domestic and international markets. It also encourages quality manufacturers to develop unique products that satisfy exports market.

It provides an opportunity to establish direct contact with actual manufacturers of towels and other bath linen products.

Qatar Chamber is interested to encourage businessmen to participate in trade and industrial exhibitions that help exchange expertise and help establish partnerships and commercials transactions, Al Munsouri added.

 18/2/2019

Qatar Chamber’s First Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar met with chief of India’s Shyam Metalics, Aditya Agrawal, on Monday in the presence of Surinder Bhagat, the Commercial Representative at the Indian Embassy.
The meeting reviewed trade and economic cooperation between business sectors of the two countries.
Aditya Agrawal discussed the possibility of establishing a factory for manufacturing ferroalloys, which will be first-of-its -kind in Qatar. Agrawal said his company wanted a local partner for the project.
Twar said that Qatar chamber is keen to strengthen cooperation between Qatari businessmen and their counterparts from all over the world. He reaffirmed the QC’s readiness to help foreign companies willing to set up businesses in Qatar by finding them local partners.
The QC is interested in helping local companies to exchange experience and technology with foreign companies, Twar added.

Event Title
Meeting with Jordanian Manufacturers Delegation
Specialized in wood and furniture industry

Head of Delegation
Mr. Saad Steitieh
Board Member of Jordan Chamber of Industry

Venue
Grand Hall – Qatar Chamber

Date
Tuesday 5th March 2019

Time
11 a.m.

Event Title
Malaysian Businesses Delegation
Food Service Operators | Spices | Fish | Dairy | Oil Based Products

Head of Delegation
Mr. Mohd. Shahir Sabaruddin
Deputy Head of Diplomatic Mission in Qatar
EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN QATAR
Venue
Grand Hall – Qatar Chamber

Date
Tuesday 4^th March 2019

Time
11 a.m.

27/2/2019

The International Chamber of Commerce Qatar (ICC Qatar) held its first Banking Commission meeting of the year at Qatar Chamber.

The Vice Chairman of the ICC Qatar Banking Commission, Ghassan Azar, presided over the meeting in the presence of representatives from the majority of banks in Qatar.

Director of International Relations and Chamber Affairs of ICC Qatar, Sheikha Tamader al Thani, provided updates regarding ongoing meetings with the concerned parties related to the use of the internationally accepted ICC Uniform Rules on Demand Guarantees 758 when issuing guarantees, commenting: “The Banking Commission meeting is an important opportunity to consider the latest issues relevant to the banking industry. Some of the topics discussed included ICC draft opinions, issuance of guarantee clauses by banks and Incoterms 2020 amongst others”.

Mr. Azar highlighted the importance of the upcoming ICC Banking Commission Annual Meeting 2019 that will be held from 8-11 April in Beijing, noting that it is the only event of its kind gathering banking executives and government officials from more than 65 countries to rethink the future of trade finance, encourage governments, regulatory bodies and G20 leaders to remove obstacles to trade finance and stimulate economic growth and job creation. Other topics include the increasing prominence of digitalization within the trade finance sector, the ongoing changes in regulatory and compliance requirements and the growing interest—from both banks and customers—in supply chain finance methods.

He also urged members to attend the ICC Qatar Annual Trade Finance Training on 27 March 2019, which will provide professionals with best practices. The training will also be beneficial to business executives active in trade finance. This comprehensive banking workshop will enable attendees to obtain 6.5 PDUs.

CEO of Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA), Michel Ryan, attended the meeting as a guest of ICC Qatar and gave insight into the work of QFCRA, stating that he is “very pleased to have had the opportunity to attend the meeting of the ICC Qatar Banking Commission and to support the important work that the Commission undertakes”.

27 Mar 2019

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Qatar organised its fourth banking workshop under the theme ‘Trade Finance Training 2019’ recently. The discussions at the workshop focused on letters of credit and guarantees.

The event was held in collaboration with the London Institute of Banking and Finance is sponsored by QNB and supported by Qatar Chamber.

Held under the patronage of Qatar Chamber and ICC Qatar Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, the workshop was led by Kim Sindberg, the Technical Advisor to the Banking Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce and founder of Sindberg Consult.

The one-day seminar touched on a comprehensive overview of pressing issues including the best practices of letters of credit and letters of guarantees, Incoterms 2020 and status on the demand guarantee standard banking practices.

Addressing the attendees, QNB AGM Financial Institutions Ali Abdullah Darwish, said: “With its strong growth and rising economic power, the State of Qatar presents a key, growing global market for trade and investment, and with the ambitious 2030 national vision and wise strategy, we are ready to play our part toward the improvement of the global economic climate,”

Darwish affirmed that QNB’s sponsorship of this important workshop came as an important part of the Bank’s CSR program and its full participation as a major business player in efforts to support a knowledge-based economy both in Qatar and abroad across its international footprint.

He said the event highlighted many topics related to letters of credit and guarantee, expressing his hope it would present practical solutions and conclude with fruitful recommendations.

In a press statement, the ICC Qatar stressed its keenness on holding the workshop for a fourth year in a row that seemed enormously beneficial to the attendees within the banking industry.

It assured it would continue to hold such workshops that discuss different topics related to banking sector. At the end of the event, participants received 6.5 PDUs certificates.

31/3/2019

QATAR Chamber participated in the Moushtarayat 2019 Conference and Exhibition which kicked off on Sunday.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) kicked off the fourth edition of ‘Moushtarayat’ – the Government Procurement and Contracting Conference & Exhibition – in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance.

QC Board Members Eng Ali Abdul Latif al Misnad and Abdel Rahman al Ansari attended the inauguration ceremony.
Qatar Chamber’s Director-General Saleh bin Hamad al Sharqi was also present at the event.

Commenting on the inauguration ceremony, Sharqi said that organising the fourth edition of the Government Procurement and Contracting Conference and Exhibition (Moushtarayat 2019) reflects its importance in enhancing interaction between SMEs and governmental ministries and institutions.

Sharqi also said that the event represents an important platform for SMEs to liaise with governmental bodies to identify tenders and contracts, thus opening the horizons of cooperation with government agencies and winning their tenders.
In a press statement on the sidelines of the expo, Sharqi underscored the Chamber’s keenness on partaking in the exhibition every year with a view to strengthening communication between SMEs, ministries, and institutions participating in it, as part of its role as a representative of the private sector and supporting SMEs and Qatari entrepreneurs. He noted that the chamber also seeks to increase the opportunities for SMEs participation in government contracts.

Sharqi pointed out that Moushtarayat 2019 conference and exhibition stresses the government’s interest and keenness to engage SMEs in its procurements and projects.

He noted that this exhibition provides the opportunity for direct encounter between these companies and different ministries and government agencies, paving the way for the participation of SMEs in tenders and government contracts, and also reflects the true meaning of public-private partnership.

Sharqi also affirmed the importance of providing the opporuntiy for SMEs to participate in projects being held outside the country, noting that this provides more options for these enterprises to obtain local and foreign tenders.

31/3/2019

Qatar Chamber is set to hold its first general assembly meeting on April 22. The meeting will be chaired by Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al Thani.

The meeting will be held at its headquarter amid expectations that it will be postponed to Sunday May 12 for the lack of required quorum of members who are eligible to vote, regardless of the number of attendees.

The General Assembly will discuss QC’s fiscal report for the year ending December 31, 2018 and a new auditor for the 2019 financial year will be appointed. The members who have the right to attend should accomplish the subscription for 2019 until the date of the general assembly meeting.

For private enterprises, the owner should be attending in person with his Qatari ID or his authorised signatory provided that his name is registered in the commercial registration or in the last registration form of the Chamber.

For companies, one of the authorised signatories should be attending provided his name is registered in the commercial registration or in the last registration form of the Chamber.