The foreign trade of Qatar's private sector of non-oil exports jumped by 6.1 percent in the first five months after the illegal siege began in June last year, compared to the first half of the year before it, a Qatar Chamber report stated on Wednesday.

Qatar' non-oil exports after June 2017 rose to QR 8.2 billion from QR 7.7 billion, according to the report.

This, it added, is one of the instances that illustrate how Qatar has turned the unjust blockade to its advantage.

Qatar also opened several new shipping lines during the period, the report said, adding that the country launched new initiatives to encourage local industry.

These include the own-a-factory-within-72-hours programme, the establishment of low-cost storage areas and a reduction in the rental value for all investors in the southern logistics areas for 2018 and 2019.

In addition, the government has mandated the ministries and government agencies to solely use local products to encourage the domestic industries, the report said.

In the report, Qatar Chamber highlighted the active role played by the private sector in overcoming the consequences of the Gulf Crisis that has been dragging on for more than a year now.

It said companies have intensified their pace of work, increased production capacities, expanded destinations for foreign trade and contributed to a "renaissance" in the agricultural production sector in the country.

The report reviewed the efforts of Qatar Chamber during the siege as a representative of the private sector and outlined the measures taken in coordination with the competent authorities in the country to face the consequences of the siege.

The report said Qatar Chamber has benefited from the cooperation it has with several of its counterparts in many countries, and opened new markets for Qatari products.

It also launched several initiatives to support national products by urging commercial complexes to display national products prominently and through exhibitions such as "Made in Qatar".

During the siege, the report said, Qatar Chamber held meetings with more than 52 trade delegations to discuss mutual investment opportunities and the possibility of establishing economic partnerships and alliances.

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Source: Qatar News Agency