Qatar Chamber convened public and private sector leaders to address supply chain challenges and safeguard food security amid the escalating US-Israel war on Iran.

Qatar Chamber’s (QC) Food Security and Environment Committee held a meeting on Monday focused on discussing the growing challenges facing the private sector amid the current regional developments.

The meeting, chaired by Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Obaidli, QC Board Member and Committee Chair, brought together representatives from key entities, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Airways, and the General Authority of Customs.

The meeting comes in light of the ongoing United States-Israel war on Iran, that has continued escalating since 28 February.

Food industry stakeholders and business owners were also in attendance, where they reviewed key proposals and solutions aimed at facilitating trade movement and ensuring the flow of goods and products into the country.

The meeting also focused on supporting local production, ensuring essential goods, and improving trade flow across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) while reviewing measures taken by the public sector to address the current situation.

Al-Obaidli noted that the Chamber has received “several concerns related to transportation, logistics, and storage” with the “commitment to presenting the views of the private sector to the Federation of GCC Chambers to address them with the relevant authorities”. 

The Chamber will soon launch initiatives, in collaboration with government agencies, to simplify procedures and boost public-private sector coordination, Al-Obaidli said.

“Al-Obaidli further emphasised the pivotal role of the private sector during the current crisis and its commitment to working closely with government entities to address the challenges and repercussions arising from these developments,” QC said in its statement on the meeting.

Hamad Al-Marri, Director of the Land Transport Licensing Department at the Ministry of Transport, separately said the ministry conducted meetings with transport and logistics companies to identify the challenges facing the sector. 

Al-Marri highlighted the measures taken in addressing challenges, including allowing empty Qatari trucks to enter neighbouring countries.

At the same meeting, Yousef Al Hammadi, Director of the Land Customs Department at the General Authority of Customs, said the Authority “has implemented a number of flexible and proactive measures to ensure the continuity of supply chains”.

Al Hammadi highlighted measures such as temporarily allowing the use of copies of official documents for customs declarations until the original documents are submitted.

Ali Al-Yafei from the Department of Specific Licensing and Market Control at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry also noted that the Ministry is working with the private sector and the Civil Defence Council in identifying alternative supply routes each month to ensure they are ready when needed.

“He further explained that the Ministry has held several key meetings since the early stages of the crisis, including meetings with logistics companies across land, sea, and air transport, as well as with major suppliers of consumer goods and leading manufacturers,” QC said.