The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) announced that the 8th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) and the 2nd Qatar International Environmental Exhibition (EnviroteQ) 2021 will begin on March 23 at Doha Exhibition and Conference Center (DECC). Under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the five-day exhibition will witness the participation of over 200 companies from the agriculture, environment, food and animal production sectors. Companies from Saudi Arabia will participate in exhibitions that spread over an area of 23,000 sq metres. Over 35 countries will showcase products through their embassies and commercial offices in Doha.
The event has special importance as it is a strategic platform that helps to explore new horizons in the advancement of the Qatari agricultural sector as it is the base of food security that comes at the forefront strategic priorities for self-sufficiency. Moreover, exhibition will offer innovative environmental solutions to meet current and emerging challenges and an opportunity to exchange international and local experience which makes it an effective platform. “All necessary preventive measures will be taken to ensure the health and safety of the participants and visitors,” said Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Exhibition, Muhammad Ali Al Khoury, in a press conference held yesterday at the headquarters of MME. Al Khoury, who is also Director of the Public Parks Department, said that the entry process will be controlled by pre-registration through a link to the exhibition site for those who wish to visit and after registering the data, a system generated barcode will sent to applicant’s phone which should be produced at the entrance. “The visitors are also required to show green status in Ehteraz app and keep wearing face mask during their presence. The focus of the exhibition is to attract specialists and those interested in the agricultural and environmental fields. Children will not be allowed since there are no activities for them,” said Al Khoury.
Al Khoury said that the exhibition will have dedicated areas for showcasing dates, vegetables, fruits and honey from local farms and first time nursery market will be held to offer plants and flowers. “Vegetable market, which includes about 100 Qatari farms will provide the public with their production of fresh vegetables and fruits, and the honey and dates market that brings together the elite producers of honey and dates,” said Al Khoury. He said Food Industry Zone (FoodteQ), will shed light on the latest agricultural products and food packaging and processing machinery. “Veterinary Products Zone (VeteQ), a specialized platform for veterinary health will introduces a wide range of services, equipment and veterinary products for livestock, poultry and other species,” said Al Khoury. He said with its agricultural and environmental aspects, the event enjoys considerable attention regarding the vital agricultural projects and promising investment opportunities in which Qatar is rich, also regarding the unlimited government support, which is highlighted in the allocation of QR70m annually to boost agricultural, animal and fish production and to enhance national agricultural products’ marketing.
Yousef Khalid Al Khulaifi, Vice-Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department at MME, said: “With a focus on adopting innovative policies, strategies and technologies that serve environmental sustainability, Qatar has made remarkable achievements in the development of the agricultural sector.” He said Qatar is making investment in technology, research and development and food control, as a priority to raise the volume and quality of agricultural, animal and fish production in safe and sustainable ways, along with the objectives of the second national development strategy of the State of Qatar (2018-22). “The move helped in increasing the percentage of local production of livestock to 30% and fish to 65% respectively by the year 2022, to support “Qatar National Vision 2030” in order to consolidate Qatar’s leadership as an advanced country capable of achieving sustainable development and providing decent living for its people” said Al Khulaifi.
