Doha, Qatar, 02 February 2011
QNFSP and QFCA host a roundtable to discuss developing a sustainable approach to Food Security for the State of Qatar
On the 2nd February 2011, The Qatar National Food Security Programme, in conjunction with Qatar Financial Centre Authority, hosted its inaugural Roundtable discussion event themed: “QNFSP: Opportunities for the Financial Sector” at the Four Seasons Hotel, Doha.
Established in 2008, the QNFSP is an initiative of His Highness the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, with the objective of developing a sustainable approach to Food Security for the State of Qatar. The QNFSP also aims to contribute to the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030, namely Human, Social, Economic and Environmental Development.
The QNFSP Task Force is comprised of 17 different government and private sector entities in order to develop a comprehensive Master Plan that will eventually be presented to His Highness the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The roundtable will therefore provide further developmental analysis relating to to the QNFSP Master Plan, as well as serving as a platform to address the future financing opportunities available to the state of Qatar. The Master Plan and the programme’s findings will be presented to the State of Qatar by the end of 2012.
The roundtable event will focus on the development of four key future self-sustainable industries in Qatar: Renewable Energy, Water, Agriculture, and Food Processing. The discussions will explore the growing number of new investible assets available for the financial services industry to actively engage in project financing and investment strategies. It is envisaged that variety of financing models, such as Public Private Partnerships (PPP’s), will collectively serve as a vehicle for the collaboration of governmental bodies and key industrial establishments on the delivery of long-term infrastructure assets and related services for the four areas of economic activity.
Attended by leading industry figures, the event was chaired by Mr Fahad Al-Attiya, QNFSP Task Force Chairman with leading contributions and speeches from QNFSP Chief Economist Dr David Raboy and QFC Authority Acting CEO Mr Shashank Srivastava.
Prior to hosting the event, QNFSP Task Force Chairman Mr Fahad Al-Attiya commented: “I am delighted to be joined by such a distinguished panel to discuss what is a very important issue for our country; food security and self-sufficiency. These discussions will not only help the QNFSP develop recommendations for Food Security policy, but also explore how this can be achieved in partnership with financial institutions and the ways in which our goals can be efficiently funded”.
Ends
Contacts:
QFCA: Stephen Carriere, Head of Marketing & Communications
Tel: +974 4496 7784
Email: S.Carriere@qfc.com.qa
Media at QNFSP
Email: media@qnfp.org
Note to Editors
About the Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP)
The QNFSP’s mission is to develop a comprehensive and sustainable long term solution to the challenges that the State of Qatar faces with regards to its Food Security. The objective is to increase and enhance domestic agricultural production and, in parallel, strengthening the security of food imports to alleviate the food supply deficit that Qatar faces. The QNFSP could also serve as a model to other dry land countries in the region and globally. The programme will present its findings to the State of Qatar in the form of a Master Plan that will be completed by the end of 2012.
The programme will implement the usage of solar energy to desalinate seawater, which will then be used for its agricultural production. It will also develop Research & Development centres, educational facilities, and introduce sound technologies that will enable Qatar to diversify its economy while preserving its natural resources to ultimately achieve Food Security. http://www.qnfsp.gov.qa/
About the Qatar Financial Centre
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is a financial and business centre established by the Government of Qatar and located in Doha. It has been designed to attract international financial services institutions and major multi-national corporations and to encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar and elsewhere in the region. The QFC operates to international standards and provides a first class legal and business infrastructure for those doing business within the QFC. The QFC was created by QFC Law No.(7) of Qatar and has been open for business since 1 May 2005.
About the QFC Authority
The QFC Authority is the commercial, administrative and legislative body responsible for driving the commercial strategy of the Qatar Financial Centre as a destination for capital and businesses and for developing corporate and institutional relationships both within and outside Qatar.
The QFC Authority’s goal is to build a world class financial services marketplace where all participants, both domestic and international, will benefit from the considerable local market potential which they can use not only as a springboard into other countries in the GCC, but also as a powerful regional base from which to tap into the broader growth markets of the Middle East, north and sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian sub-continent. To achieve that goal, the QFC Authority recently announced a new strategy for 2010 and beyond which focuses on the creation of a global business hub for three core markets - Asset Management, Re-insurance and Captive Insurance. More information on the QFC Authority is available at www.qfc.com.qa