Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, chairman of Qatar’s General Authority of Customs, says the country can maintain stable supplies despite rising regional tensions, citing diversified trade routes, strong logistics, and strategic reserves.
Qatar has the capacity to maintain stable supplies of goods despite rising regional tensions, according to the head of the country’s customs authority, who said diversified trade routes and strategic reserves are helping safeguard supply chains.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday, the chairman of Qatar’s General Authority of Customs, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, said the country was well prepared to handle potential disruptions linked to instability in the region.
Al Jamal stressed that authorities have not detected any signs of shortages or supply chain interruptions.
“There are no indicators that call for concern over shortages of goods or disturbances to supply chains inside the State of Qatar,” he said.
He added that Qatar’s supply resilience was supported by diversified import sources, strong logistics infrastructure, and adequate strategic stockpiles of essential commodities.
According to Al Jamal, the country has taken steps in recent years to strengthen food security and supply chain management, enabling it to respond more effectively to external shocks.
He added that customs authorities are closely monitoring cargo flows at all entry points, including seaports, airports, and land crossings, to ensure goods continue to move efficiently into the country.
“We continue to monitor trade flows across all entry points in coordination with relevant authorities,” he said, emphasising coordination among government agencies.
Digitalisation has also played a key role in maintaining trade efficiency, he noted, with modern customs systems and electronic clearance procedures helping speed up the processing of shipments and reduce delays at ports and border crossings.
The comments come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have raised concerns about potential disruptions to regional trade routes and shipping, including uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
Qatar, a major energy exporter that relies heavily on imports for food and consumer goods, has invested heavily in logistics infrastructure and alternative supply chains since the 2017 Gulf crisis, when neighbouring countries imposed a blockade.
According to Al Jamal, those efforts have strengthened Qatar’s ability to maintain the flow of goods even during periods of instability.
He said authorities remain prepared to respond quickly to any developments that could affect supply chains, while ensuring essential goods continue to reach markets without interruption.
The customs authority, he added, will continue working with national and international partners to safeguard trade continuity and maintain stable supplies across the country.
Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, echoed these remarks in a recent interview with Qatar TV, assuring that the country’s markets and supply of essential goods remain stable despite the ongoing crisis.
