The delegation was given an overview of the LMS by Rady Swid al-Ajmi and Dr Hassan al-Mohannadi of the Social Planning Department of the Planning Council, where they explained the rationale, objectives and goals behind the LMS and the National Action Plan (NAP) thereof. “We have much to learn from within GCC and this is an opportunity for Qatar and Oman to share valuable insights and initiatives aimed at dealing with labour market concerns and opportunities that we have in common,” Sheikh Hamad said. Like Qatar, Oman is experiencing significant growth and labour market concerns are now very much a regional issue, he said. Today’s regional workforce is very mobile and there are significant opportunities within GCC countries for the Planning Council to support each other as the economies continue to grow, he added.

The Planning Council chairs a multi-agency team – involving nine key Qatar organisations, for implementing strategic solutions to address the country’s short and medium term labour issues.The LMS commenced in April 2006 following an analysis of Qatar’s labour market by the World Bank in 2005 and subsequently approved by the Council of Ministers to be implemented in December 2006.
The strategic goals of LMS and NAP are to maximise the participation of Qataris in the economic development; develop and utilise Qatari labour force that is equipped to learn and adapt; maintain and improve Qatari labour market participation and strengthen productivity.The NAP’s management structure comprises an oversight committee, four steering committees and a project management office.

Eleven projects will be implemented by nine Qatari agencies, including the Qatar Foundation, Qatar University, Ministry of Civil Service and Housing, Qatar Petroleum, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Supreme Education Council and the Planning Council