14/2/2017
Qatar Chamber’s (QC) Trade and Research Committee organised a gathering for officials of Qatar Ports Management Company ‘Mwani Qatar’ and food importers on Thursday to review challenges being faced by them.
The meeting reviewed actions taken by Mwani Qatar, including the increase of fees imposed on importers and the problems faced by food importers in Qatar.
Those who attended the meeting included QC Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Twar, Head of QC’s Trade and Research Committee Adel al Mannai, QC Director General Saleh al Sharqi, Director of Doha Port Management Captain Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Yafei and Head of operations Omar al Khyyat.
Bin Twar said the chamber is keen to take stock of all obstacles being faced by its members, including food importers so that it could discuss suitable solutions with the authorities concerned.
He praised the government’s efforts to streamline business environment and overcome obstacles facing the private sector.
QC Vice chairman said the chamber will organise a visit of Hamad Port for traders and business owners so that they become familiar with operations, procedures and work flow inside the port. He highlighted the role of the port in opening new horizons for businesses and facilitating the business climate.
The chamber urged the authorities to find solutions to difficulties being faced by its members, Bin Twar added.
For his part, Al Mannai stressed the importance of giving traders a chance to review new procedures before implementing them so that they can be well-prepared. Yafei thanked the chamber for hosting the event, and said that Mwani Qatar is looking forward to the importers’ suggestions so that it can find appropriate solutions.
He discussed the directives of Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed al Sulaiti on developing work procedures at the Hamad Port to make it a logistics centre for international trade. He said 56 systems are in place to save time and effort during the release of cargos at Hamad Port.
He praised the cooperation of Qatar Chamber, General Authority of Customs, shipping lines and other bodies.
He pointed out that the first marine line was launched in January between Hamad Port and Shanghai, China. The second line will be inaugurated soon, he said.
About Mwani tariffs, he said the list of fees prepared by the port management is based on extensive study.
Various services have been combined to provide a comprehensive service that takes into account the interests of traders and importers.
Speaking about the generator sets, he said the installation of generators on the containers is based on a request from the Ministry of Health.
