Qatar’s transport minister has said the country has “remarkably” managed to handle its strategic stockpile for food security and expanded food-related investments in several countries over the past few years.
Speaking at the signing ceremony for the QR1.6bn Strategic Food Security Facilities Project between the New Port Project (NPP) Steering Committee and Al Jaber Engineering on Sunday, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said Qatar “views food security as an integral part of its national security”.
The contract was signed by NPP executive director Maisar Jamil el-Qutami and Al Jaber Engineering CEO Osama Hadid in the presence of HE al-Sulaiti, Swiss ambassador Etienne Thevoz, German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel, and Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano.
“This new project springs from the wisdom and insightful vision of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on the importance of the strategic stockpile for food security and giving it a very important place on the country’s strategies and plans and at the top of its priorities.
It also springs from the close follow-up from HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani,” he stressed.
Located inside Hamad Port, the facility will provide a stockpile for 3mn people for two and a half years for the following commodities: rice, raw sugar, and cooking oils, said HE al-Sulaiti, who is also chairman of the NPP Steering Committee.
“Such an expansion would help Qatar preserve its consumptive market over the coming years regardless of the circumstances it encounters…the project will be constructed in accordance with best international practices and standards and provide a high capacity for storage, packaging, conveyance and handling by utilising latest technologies,” Al-Sulaiti said.
The Minister said the project is also part of the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ efforts to encourage Qatari private sector’s contribution to transport projects “to harness the expertise and applied technology, as well as achieving the vision of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani”.
Al Jaber Group of Companies chairman Mohamed Sultan al-Jaber said: “We are thankful to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the New Port Project Steering Committee for trusting Al Jaber Engineering with the design and construction of the Strategic Food Security Facilities Project.
“Being a Qatari company, we are proud to have been chosen for this strategic project for the state of Qatar.
Al Jaber Group of Companies shall provide full support to the project team to ensure high standards of quality and delivery on time.”
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