A recent directive from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce states that products from countries in conflict with Qatar will no longer be sold in the supermarkets and groceries. It has been almost a year when four other countries in the Middle East (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt) cut off their diplomatic ties with Qatar. These items are ordered removed to protect the welfare of consumers.
Residents are encouraged to support local products or from other sources. Local manufacturers are also doing their part to meet the demands of the consumers. Consumers can also take part in the initiative to buy local products that are being currently being promoted.
Removal of Banned Products from Saudi and Other Countries
Supermarkets and other stores are ordered to immediately remove items coming from Saudi, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. This also includes products from the said countries that entered Qatar through a third country. Consumers are instead called on to support the National Product initiative.
Here is the statement from the Government Communication Office regarding the removal of banned products:
“On 5 June 2017, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt unexpectedly announced that they would close its land and sea borders, as well as its airports, territory and airspace, to goods destined for Qatar. These measures impacted all goods passing across (or that could pass across). They further subsequently adopted a series of ancillary restrictions and arbitrary exceptions.
To protect the safety of consumers in the State of Qatar and to combat improper trafficking of goods, the Government issued a directive to find new suppliers of the variety of goods impacted. Products originating from the blockading states, which as a result of the blockade cannot pass the GCC Customs Territory, has to undergo proper import restrictions and customs procedures. Qatar conducts its trade policy in accordance with all of its multilateral and bilateral agreements.”
Meanwhile, the Support National Product initiative aims to help Qatar’s economy and achieve self-sufficiency. It also showcases Qatar’s local products to the world.
