The inaugural MedFood 2017 exhibition organised by Qatar Chamber underscores the efforts of the public and private sectors to help the country achieve self-sufficiency in the food and pharmaceutical industry, the Qatari Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada has said.
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Speaking to the media after a tour of the exhibition, al-Sada said the event represents an “important opportunity to introduce Qatari products to the market” and to focus on the various initiatives of local companies in the food and pharmaceutical sector.
He added that MedFood 2017 serves as a platform for participating companies to exchange views and expertise, and to offer the government a chance to provide various incentives.
While the event focuses on local industries and companies, succeeding exhibitions will also include international firms and products, the energy minister said.
Qatar Chamber said the first edition of MedFood 2017, which is being held in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Industry, gathered 34 local companies specialising in food production and drug manufacturing.
MedFood 2017 aims to provide a venue for local food and pharmaceutical companies to find new marketing domains, Qatar Chamber said. The event also aims to strengthen the “Made in Qatar” trademark, achieve self-sufficiency, and lessen the country’s dependence on food and medicine imports.
Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani said the exhibition “reflects the state of Qatar’s eagerness to support and strengthen national food products,” and to involve investors in new food and medicine production projects.
Sheikh Khalifa said the event is Qatar Chamber’s response to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s directives to open the economy “to all different initiatives and investments that would help the state of Qatar produce food and medicine, and to diversify its income and achieve economic independence.”
Not only does the exhibition support local companies and factories, Sheikh Khalifa stressed that MedFood 2017 aims to help businesses market their products to consumers.
The next edition, he added, will witness a wider participation of companies, including international firms and investors.
By Peter Alagos
