Doha, Qatar, March 8, 2017– Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar is all set to host the fifth edition of Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (Agriteq 2017) being organized Ministry of Municipality and Environment of Qatar in collaboration with IFP Qatar Ltd from March 22 to 25, 2017 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. Leading companies and organizations specialized in the various agricultural segments in Qatar and worldwide will be participating at the event to exchange expertise and experiences and explore the latest trends and international best practices, as well as to discuss the latest industry challenges and opportunities.

Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al-Thani, Assistant Undersecretary of Agricultural Affairs, Livestock and Fisheries at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Head of 2017 Agriteq Supervisory Committee, said: “Agriteq 2017 comes at a strategic time in conjunction with the growing boom of the local agricultural sector, in line with the extensive efforts to increase the sector’s contribution in the country’s GDP to over 4 percent annually, as part of the economic diversification policy being implemented by Qatar Government to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 which sets a roadmap to shift into a knowledge-based economy and build a modern society that can drive comprehensive development and environmental sustainability. Agriteq gathers top-notch decision-makers, industry leaders and professionals from across the region and the world to exchange information and expertise to come up with effective solutions and recommendations aimed at encouraging optimal investment in agricultural projects and animal production, as well as help local and international businesses establish a robust presence in the local market and get into new partnerships and deals which will be of great benefit to the sector”.

Al-Thani noted that: “Qatar follows an agricultural plan aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in agricultural and vegetable production by year 2030, through enhancing local food industries and reducing dependency on imported products. Recent studies show that food imports constitute a high 90 percent of Qatar’s total food needs. We look forward to supporting the ambitious aspirations of Qatar Government and help enable agricultural projects and businesses by offering a comprehensive platform to explore the latest developments and innovations in agriculture and animal production”.

With a total area of 12,000 sqm, Agriteq 2017 will feature a variety of interactive activities and events; one of which is the B2B Matchmaking Platform which will provide participants with an excellent gateway to communicate and discuss the most pressing issues and main challenges facing the agricultural sector in Qatar and the GCC region. A series of exclusive meetings amongst exhibitors and local government authorities will also take place to talk about the latest administrative, legal and regulative procedures and developments in Qatar. The event will also feature a number of extensive workshops under the supervision of top-notch industry experts and professionals to raise awareness about the latest technologies and finest types of crops and organic foods.

In a new first-of-its-kind addition to the event, an auction will be organized to showcase and sell different species of GCC-based animals and birds. This will help attract the interest of more industry investors and experts to learn about Qatar’s livestock and animals. Children will also have the chance to learn more about the various agricultural and environmental industries, including food security and best practices.

Agriteq is of great importance on the local and regional economic landscape as it offers an integrated platform to showcase the latest developments and agricultural technologies, including agricultural equipment, food manufacturing tools, animal production and veterinary tools, crop production machines, artificial light-type plant factory systems, shop design and equipment, green houses, irrigation and ventilation systems, logistics, storage services, water processing, counselling and many more. The event is expected to attract a large number of visitors from experts and professionals to learn about the latest products and technologies being used in the agricultural sector, as well as to communicate with decision-makers, government officials, producers and suppliers to better know about market needs in Qatar and the region.

The previous edition of Agriteq saw a participation of more than 120 exhibitors from local, GCC and international companies which showcased a wide range of agricultural, food, animal and fish products, in addition to offering many business opportunities and potential for everyone attending the event.