The basic food items excepted include meat, fish, milk, cheese, legumes, oils, bakery and pastry products, juices and others. As for the medical equipment, they include facemasks, sanitisers, soap products, cleaners, sanitary wipes, and personal and house hygiene products.
Meanwhile, coordination has been maintained between the GAC and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) to list the food and medical items that should be exempted from customs duties to enforce the decision. The MoCI has approved a full list of these with their names, which can be reviewed at the GAC website at www.customs.gov.qa
Intensifying its fight against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), Qatar last week had announced a slew of measures including a mega financial package of QR75bn to support the private sector.
Presiding over the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management meeting that reviewed Qatar's preparedness to combat the spread of the new coronavirus (Covid 19), His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani had ordered to initiate a set of decisions and measures to help people lead a normal life.
Announcing the initiative, HE Lolwah Rashid AlKhater, Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said food and medical goods will be exempt from customs duties for a period of six months, provided that this is reflected in the selling price to the consumer.
“A number of sectors will be exempt from electricity and water charges for a period of six months. They include, hospitality and tourism sector; retail sector; small and medium industries sector; commercial complexes, in exchange for providing services and exemptions to tenants, as well as logistics areas,” she pointed out.