DOHA: Under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari inaugurated the first local factory producing tea, carrying the Lipton and Red Label brands. It is the latest effort of supporting national industrial efforts in the State of Qatar to achieve self-sufficiency, QNA reported.
The opening of the factory comes within the framework of efforts exerted by the ministerial group to stimulate and participate the private sector in economic development projects, chaired by the Prime Minister, in order to encourage the private sector and enhance its participation not only in terms of achieving national development by meeting the growing domestic demand in the food sector, but also by engaging with the government sector in supporting the drive towards self-sufficiency to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030.
The new tea factory belongs to of the Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC) and is located in the industrial zone for SME industries. The factory will produce tea packages of different sizes.
Commenting on the occasion, the Minister of Commerce and Industry said that the opening of the new factory is the result of the state’s continuous efforts of partnering with the private sector, and encouraging it to make a significant contribution to the national economy and self-sufficiency, in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030. His Excellency also renewed his call on the private sector to take the initiative and make use of the investment opportunities provided by the state, noting the efforts of the ministry in facilitating the procedures and putting all the necessary efforts to ensure the success of these investments.
For his part, Chairman of QIMC Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Jabor Al Thani thanked the Prime Minister and Interior Minister for his support, saying that the company aims to invest in the food products sector to meet the growing demand for tea and its related products. He noted that sales of Lipton and Red Label have two-thirds of the market share of the local market. He added that cooperating with an international company in that regard will serve as a meaningful addition to manufacturing factories in the country. His Excellency stressed that the new factory is part of the government’s policies of encouraging national industries.
Chairman of the Private Sector Development and Support Committee of the ministerial group Khamis Ahmed Al Mohannadi said that the presence of global brands in the Qatari market ensures economic diversification, which is one of the priorities of the ministerial group. He expressed appreciation to the effort made recently to attract Unilever and partner with it on this factory, saying that it sends a strong message on the investment climate in the State of Qatar and to global companies that want to invest in Qatar. He noted that there will similar efforts to attract particular brands in the coming period.
QIMC CEO Abdulrahman Abdullah Al Ansari expressed appreciation to the efforts made to support local initiatives, stressing that the company is more than ready to ensure the success of the new factory, noting that the company has 20 similar products.
Source from: The Peninsula