Qatar

Vienna - Information Office - December 02

The State of Qatar has expressed its appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in helping member states adapt to the critical conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its quest to enhance the role of the industrial sector in social and economic recovery from the pandemic and building resilience.

This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Federal Republic of Austria Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri, who is also the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN and international organizations in Vienna, before the UNIDO 19th General Conference.

HE Ambassador Al Mansouri said that industry is a major driver of sustainable economic growth, environmental stability, and shared prosperity, stressing the importance of UNIDO's role in promoting comprehensive industrial development as the most effective tool for achieving economic recovery and making progress towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan. He stressed the importance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation, sustainable energy, innovation, and pioneering technologies, which fall within the UNIDO mandate, in finding sustainable solutions to the major challenges in the world, especially the challenges of poverty, climate change, and environmental degradation.

HE the Ambassador addressed the great steps taken by the State of Qatar in the field of industry to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on the oil and gas sectors, pointing out that in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, the State of Qatar continues to accelerate the growth of the manufacturing sector to efficiently use natural resources, talents, innovation, and financial capabilities to achieve a sustainable, prosperous and diversified economy, where the manufacturing sector is expected to a 4.5 percent growth year-on-year.

Also, HE Al Mansouri indicated that the State of Qatar attaches great interest to increase the percentage of clean energy, including gas, in the energy system to ensure harmony between the country's great economic growth and environmental protection, pointing out that the State of Qatar also pays great attention to confronting the risks of climate change and continues to invest in transition projects to a green world by investing in low-carbon technologies and establishing partnerships with friendly countries to shift from coal industries to clean energy.

He added that the State of Qatar will start producing electricity from solar energy for the first time in the first half of 2022, explaining that it is looking forward to cooperating with UNIDO to promote green growth and address climate change because of its negative effects that undermine the ability of member states to achieve sustainable development goals.

Regarding investment in the manufacturing industry, HE the Ambassador explained that the State of Qatar is keen to create an appropriate investment environment to stimulate the private sector to invest, open the way for foreign investments in manufacturing activities, and provide a package of various incentives by issuing legislative tools that stimulate participation and contribution in achieving comprehensive development. He pointed out that Qatari government agencies have established several industrial zones to encourage small and medium industries to create basic facilities for factories, as well as establish economic and free zones, and business incubators for entrepreneurship.

HE Ambassador Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri expressed Qatar's gratitude for the efforts made by UNIDO to meet the aspirations of member states in achieving comprehensive and sustainable industrial development and building a more resilient sustainable future