December 17, 2016

The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary under the patronage of Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry, who was present in the 40th anniversary of GOIC inception. Among guests present included renowned Gulf economists, industrialists and journalists at the Sheraton, Doha.

Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry addressed the audience on the occasion. He regarded GOIC as an important industrial hub. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting, the important industrial hub. The State of Qatar had a major contribution to the establishment of its first cornerstones when late Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Bin Jassem Al-Thani, Qatar’s former Minister of Industry and Agriculture, may his soul rest in peace, launched an initiative to establish the Organization in 1976. All GCC countries later joined reflects their strong belief in this important industrial entity and its role to achieve industrial integration in the Gulf and their belief in the importance of the industrial sector to boost economic growth.”

Dr. Al-Sada said “Throughout this long journey, GOIC has endeavored to spread industrial knowledge, provide information and data and introduce industrial opportunities to be implemented by various countries in the region. GOIC fulfilled the requirements of many concerned parties like policy-makers, decision-makers, investors, researchers, students and journalists. In fact, the Organization used its extensive consulting expertise to introduce several industrial investment opportunities in various promising sectors, in addition to absent industries in the Gulf, to strengthen competitiveness of these countries in the region and the world.”

Energy & Industries Minister of Qatar said “The Ministry of Energy and Industry cooperated with GOIC to host several joint events. In fact, the Ministry has benefited a lot from GOIC’s services in the areas of data, statistics, investment opportunities and industrial workforce capacity building. This cooperation is the result of our deep confidence in GOIC, this expertise and knowledge hub, and valuable source of industrial information that continues to deploy efforts to stimulate and attract industrial investments.”

Dr. Al-Sada commended GOIC for its vital role in the preparation of a unified GCC industrial strategy and in carrying out several studies as tasked by the Industrial Cooperation Committee that has always been a beacon and guide to implement the visions of GCC leaders. “Thus, Qatar’s Ministry of Energy and Industry is always keen to coordinate with GOIC to deploy concerted efforts to promote and develop the industrial sector, which contributes to economic growth in Qatar and all over the GCC”, said Dr. Al-Sada.

Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel, GOIC Secretary General in his speech on the occasion said: “GOIC’s 40th anniversary is a dear occasion to us all, for it reminds us of the foundation of this Organization that brought together many Gulf experts in the fields of consulting, studies, researches and data analysis. These elite professionals’ remarkable fingerprints are seen in GOIC’s achievements that could not have been possible without the efforts of GOIC’s staff, and could not have been crowned with success without their dedication.”

Al-Ageel said: “Over 40 years, these competent elites have proved their dedication and commitment to achieving various tasks in accordance with the highest standards and outstanding performance criteria. GOIC’s family was up to the challenge and raised the Organization’s name high in the world of industrial consulting services, thus transforming it into an industrial hub that is trusted and respected by decision makers in the GCC and the world.”

GOIC Secretary General reiterated that throughout these years, GOIC was capable of achieving a leading position as a trustworthy consulting institution cooperating with ministries, institutions, public and private companies, investors, entrepreneurs, concerned industrial parties and decision-makers. He said: “GOIC’s journey was filled with accomplishments and successes; it contributed to laying the groundwork of GCC industrial development and boosting economic growth in our beloved region.”

Al-Ageel said: “We are honoured to follow the guidance of Their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of GCC states, to strengthen mutual economic ties. Indeed, GOIC has always endeavored to support member states and lay the foundations of economic integration in the GCC. Furthermore, GOIC’s fingerprint can be seen through many key achievements in the GCC industrial sector, such as the GCC Industrial Map Study published in June 2012 and prepared upon the request of the Secretariat-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council."

'Moreover, GOIC organized 15 Gulf Industrialists’ conferences that were regularly held throughout the GCC. The Organization put together dozens of investments opportunities that added up to successful and fruitful projects in the Gulf. In addition, GOIC kept developing its databases in order to become a valuable source of industrial information in the region. That was only a brief summary of the many studies, reports, forums and events organized by GOIC.”

Secretary General GOIC said that “On behalf of my colleagues, board members, former secretaries general, all employees of GOIC and myself, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the State of Qatar and its leadership, notably His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, our esteemed colleagues at the Ministry of Energy and Industry, particularly His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada for all their support throughout our long journey to promote the Gulf industrial sector. I would also like to congratulate the government and people of the state of Qatar on the national day, wishing them more progress, well-being and prosperity.”

A documentary about GOIC, its history, key milestones and achievements was played. Afterwards, participants honoured late Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Bin Jassem Al-Thani who was the first to think about establishing GOIC.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani received the remembrance shield.

In addition, GOIC honoured former secretaries-general who led the Organization since its foundation (in chronological order): Dr. Ali Bin Abdulrahman Al-Khalaf, late Dr. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Mejal, may his soul rest in peace, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Jaafari,Dr. Ihsan Bou Haliqa, Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Muslim, Dr. Ahmed Khalil Al-Mutawa, Dr. Lolwa Bint Abdullah Al-Misnad and Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel.

Furthermore, GOIC remembered late Mamdouh Habra, former economic consultant, who passed away few weeks ago. In recognition of late Habra’s achievements and great efforts, Tamam Mamdouh Habra received a shield.

GOIC also honoured the sponsors of the event: Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC), the strategic sponsor, by offering Abdul Rahman Al-Ansari, CEO of QIMC a shield; the economic zones partner MANATEQ, by presenting a shield to Mr. Mohamed Al-Malki, Planning and Business Development Director; and the media partner, Al-Sharq Newspaper, by offering a shield to deputy Editor-in-Chief Mr.Faleh Al-Hajri.

GOIC Secretary General Abdulaziz Bin Hamad Al-Ageel presented a shield to Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, in recognition of his continuous support to GOIC’s activities and events.