Qatar Chamber’s Food Security and Environment Committee on Wednesday discussed the mechanisms of the flow of supplies to the Industrial Area, parts of which have been closed as part of efforts to curb the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.
According to a statement by Qatar Chamber, the meeting was presided over by Dr Saif bin Ali al-Hajari in the presence of board member and chairperson of the Committee Mohamed bin Ahmed al- Obaidli and attended by representatives of food companies.
The meeting reviewed all developments concerning food circulation in the wake of the partial closure of the industrial zone for 14 days. It discussed about the mechanisms to facilitate the flow of supplies from ports to Industrial Area and from there to the food outlets. The meeting also discussed preparing a proposal of private sector companies about the measures that guarantee the availability of food in the market and forwarding it to the authorities concerned.
Attendees of the meeting stressed the importance of raising awareness among workers in the food sector about measures of combating Covid-19 and demanding employers and companies to make their employees aware of the instructions, issued by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
The participants also reviewed ways of enhancing the credibility of local products - especially poultry, dairy, vegetables, fruit and fish - along with measures that should be adopted to ensure the safety of these products.
Al-Obaidli praised the precautionary measures by Qatar government to curb the spread of Covid-19 as well as efforts, being exerted by MoPH, including sterilising trucks and checking drivers who pass through the Industrial Area.
He stressed the interest of the private sector in ensuring the flow of supplies, services and food and agricultural products to the local market and its keenness to follow the preventive procedures, as instructed by the government to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Al Obaidli noted that the private sector has enough experience in dealing with and overcoming crises and facilitating the movement of goods to consumers, pointing out that the siege experience has fostered this experience.
Al-Hajari said that the Environment Committee, which is a subsidiary of Food Security and Environment Committee, is set to receive all inquiries and proposals for prompt actions and solution.
