Q Life Magazine Q Magazine December 2017 | Page 11

Interview |
private sector and give it the appropriate privileges,
including lands, facilities and exemptions. These efforts
will enable it to grow significantly in the coming years.
Generally, we will emphasise food, water and
pharmaceutical security projects and will increase our
self-sufficiency. Today our dairy production covers 40%
of Qatari needs, and we are working on increasing the
production of meat, poultry and agricultural products,
as well as fish farming. We will achieve self-sufficiency
in some products in the coming year.
Q: What is next for Qatar’s economy?
The first step is to continue diversifying the sources of
economy and income away from oil. The Government
is working to create a more competitive economic
environment that can better attract investment, for
example through new free zones, the localisation
of some industries in Qatar, and the provision of low-
cost storage.
We are also seeking to open doors to new industries
and build new partnerships with countries that are not
strictly commercial, but rather real partnerships
where we work and invest together to reap the benefit
of investments.
We are currently working to take the country to a
better place, in line with Qatar’s 2030 National Vision.
We are working to transform into a knowledge-based
economy and to unleash the potential of our youth for
innovation and production. All of this will lead to the
thriving and development of our country.
In addition to our 2030 National Vision, we also have
national strategies. Currently, we are implementing
our second national strategy 2017-2022. We in
Government continue to implement our major plans
and projects, most importantly infrastructure projects,
health and education.
Q: It was recently announced that visit and work
visas have been issued for a number of countries
– what was the rationale behind this?
The question of visas is part of Qatar’s economic plan,
something we have recently accelerated with highly
positive results.
Visas now apply to more than 80 nationalities,
significantly boosting the business environment and
increasing tourism. This represents Qatar’s commitment
to achieving its economic goals in the coming phase,
which includes focusing on tourism. To this end,
the Council of Ministers has just approved a law
establishing the National Tourism Council.
Q: Your Excellency, you have spoken before
of creating a full life for Qatari citizens and
residents. What does this mean?
His Highness the Emir’s vision is that Qatar be a
country capable of continuing to achieve progress in
all areas, raising the standards of living for citizens,
empowering our youth, and giving them an opportunity
to achieve what they aspire to.
We in Government believe that our responsibility is
to provide across five main pillars of: appropriate
health services; high quality education; job
opportunities; appropriate housing; and an
appropriate life after retirement.
But we do not deny the fact that we constantly need to
develop our systems and laws. In fact, we are not afraid
of amending any law or decision, as long as it takes into
account and achieves what is best for our citizens.
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