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Qatari
Businessmen Association (QBA) is currently undertaking the final
steps taken to accomplish its new initiative towards
establishing the Qatar National Competitiveness Council (QNCC),
which aims to cultivate and promote the competitiveness spirit
among the national economy together with advancing Qatar’s
competitive edge worldwide.
QBA members have discussed the advantages
of QNCC with HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime
Minister, who emphasized his support to establish this active
body to better serve the objectives of the national economic
development. QBA also initiated a cooperation plan with all
public and private heads, and the Ministry of Economy and
Commerce advised to establish QNCC as a private organization to
conform with Law number 12 – year 2004. QBA is in the process of
finalizing the legal procedures required for the announcement of
QNCC. |
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Qatari Businessmen Association has
nominated a number of business leaders, government officials,
and academia dignities to join the founding board of Qatar
National Competitiveness Council, and got the esteemed
appreciation and support from all nominees. Hence, the founders
base of QNCC will comprise of :Shk. Hamad Bin Jaber Bin jassim
Al thani Director General for
General Secretary for Development Plannin, Supreme Planning
Council - Shk. Khalid Bin Thani Al Thani Vice Chairman &
Managing Director, Tadawul Holding Group – Sheikha Hanadi Bint
Nasser al Thani Vice Chairman & Managing Director Amwal – Shk.
Abdulaziz Bin Jassim Al Thani Managing director of QP – Sheikha
Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Thani , Special Rapporteur on Disability
at the UN Social Development Committee -Dr. Hessa Al Jabber
Secretary General, GEOC – DR. Sheikha Bint Abdullah Al Misnad
Chairperson, Qatar University – Dr Hamad Abdulaziz Al Kuwari
Chairman, Bin Omran - Mr. Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Misnad
Chairman- Qatari Investors Co – Dr Amal Al Malki Assistant
Professor in English Language Department, Carnegie Mellon –Dr.
Seif Al Hajri Vice chairman QF - Mr. Issa Abdull Salam Abu Issa
Chirman and CEO, Salam international - Mr . Mohammed Bin Ahmed
Bin Tuwar Al Kuwari Honorary Treasurer, QCCI – Mr .Khalid Al
Mannai Chairman ,al Mannai Corporation- Mr. khalid Al Darabasti
Director of investment promotion department, Ministry of
Business and Trade – Mr . Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari Executive General
Manager ,Chief Business Officer QNB- Mr. Ahmed Ahen Director of
the Department of Economic & Trade Organization, Ministry of
Business and Trade- Mr. Ibrahim Al Jaidah Director Arab
Engineering bureau –Mr. Ashraf Abu Issa CEO, Blue saloon – Mr.
Jassim Al Mansoori Chairman , Ihorizons.
The concept of competitiveness has been gaining more importance
lately around the globe due to its impact on economic growth
opportunities, investments climate, and socio-economic
prosperity. The World Economic Forum (WEF) publishes an annual
Global Competitiveness Report that measures and highlights the
competitiveness levels of most of the countries around the
globe. WEF also withstands the promotion of creating national
competitiveness councils in all countries, which provide
accurate and effective information and benchmarks that helps
governments to develop policies aiming to strengthen their
economic advancements.
It is worth mentioning that QBA is the Qatari partner of the
WEF, and is responsible for circulating the annual Executive
Opinion Survey among the local business community in order to
obtain reliable inputs about Qatar for the Global
Competitiveness Report. QBA also has participated in the
round-tables held on 2005 and 2007 to announce the Arab
Competitiveness Report, in which Qatar has been placed on the
top of the list of covered Arab countries. In addition, QBA was
involved in all the workshops organized by WEF regarding the
national competitiveness councils in the Arab World, where Egypt
and Bahrain has established their national councils, while
Kuwait, UAE, Jordan and Syria are in the preparation process to
institute their own.
Not surprisingly–following the initiatives of QBA and the
contributions of the business community, the State of Qatar has
been ranked number 31 on the Global Competitiveness Index in
2007/2008, showing a significant progress in recent years, in
which Qatar has been ranked number 38 and 46 in 2006/2007 and
2005/2006 respectively. This represents a fundamental necessity
to launch the Qatar National Competitiveness Council in order to
sustain the country’s leadership and enhance its economic
competitiveness locally and internationally.
General Definition of Competitiveness
At Country Level
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Competitiveness is the country’s ability to provide a high
quality of life to its people.
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The positive business environment created in a competitive
economy encourages the positive development of the value
chain based on innovation.
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The creation of a positive business environment is the
result of cooperation between businesses, civil society and
governments towards the increase of the country’s wealth.
At Company level
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Competitiveness depends on customer values, shareholder
values and financial strength of the company.
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The ability of the company to act and react to the changing
competitive environment.
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This ability is affected by the potential of people,
technological competence and the implementation of necessary
strategic change.
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Competitiveness can only be sustained if an appropriate
balance is maintained.
Mission of Qatar National Competitiveness
Council
The mission of National Competitiveness
Council is to stimulate efforts to improve Qatar’s
competitiveness and to motivate the public organizations and the
business sector to give priority to such efforts in all domains.
Objectives of Qatar National
Competitiveness Council
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Measure Qatar’s competitiveness ranking regionally and
internationally, thought reviewing and compiling data from
relevant reports released by international and national
organizations like local research organizations, World
Economic Forum, World Bank, IMF, UNDP and others
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Release periodical reports on Qatar’s competitiveness
ranking with regards to the various elements of
comprehensive and sustainable development of the country.
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Communicate and cooperate with partners in the society to
create awareness of Qatar’s competitiveness (government,
private sector and civil society.)
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Promote a practice where the periodical reports are used as
reference by different entities when measuring Qatar’s
performance in different aspects of sustainable development.
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Initiate and promote sector and industry competitiveness
studies.
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Help identify emerging issues of national importance, based
on the data gathered and recommend priorities for reform and
sustainable development in Qatar.
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