Doha, Qatar – Qatar is taking significant strides on the international stage by enhancing its partnerships and collaborations across various sectors. Recently, delegations from Qatar have participated in key discussions and events aimed at promoting cooperation and development with countries worldwide.
Leading the charge, Engineer Ahmad Abdulla AlMuslemani, President of the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), headed the Qatari delegation participating in the Universal Postal Union's (UPU) Council of Administration (CA) and Postal Operations Council (POC) sessions. These discussions, held from February 17 to 28, 2025, in Berne, Switzerland, focus on the Development Cooperation Policy, addressing disparities within global postal infrastructures through targeted initiatives.
During the CA session, Qatar co-chaired Committee 4 alongside Belarus, concentrating on development cooperation and technical assistance. Significant topics included mobilizing resources, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and enhancing disaster risk management strategies. AlMuslemani stated, “Our leadership in these sessions reflects Qatar’s unwavering dedication to aligning national postal policies with global standards.” This sentiment echoes Qatar’s commitment to building resilience within the global postal network, improving service efficiency, and bolstering the postal service quality for consumers within the nation.
On the sidelines of these sessions, the CRA hosted an official luncheon on February 25 at the UPU headquarters, which included key figures such as the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Switzerland, H E Mohamed bin Jaham Al Kuwari, as well as UPU participants and members from various delegations. This event served not only as networking opportunities but also as platforms to strengthen global partnerships within the postal sector.
Qatar is also making waves through political consultations with other nations, as seen during the sixth round of discussions between the ministries of foreign affairs of the State of Qatar and the Federative Republic of Brazil held recently. Chaired by H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi from Qatar and Brazil’s H E Maria Laura da Rocha, the consultations focused on developing bilateral cooperation and discussing ways to strengthen their ties.
Further demonstrating Qatar’s growing international presence, the Qatar Chamber hosted a Portuguese delegation led by H E João Rui Ferreira, Minister of State for the Economy, to explore avenues for enhancing economic relations between Qatar and Portugal. The meeting included members of the Qatar Chamber and highlighted the successful growth of trade between the two nations, which reported over 7% growth, reaching nearly QR418 million last year.
Al Ahbabi, the QC board member who received the Portuguese delegation, reaffirmed Qatar’s open economy and the welcoming stance for foreign investments across various sectors. Emphasizing the country’s strategic economic advantages, he noted various incentives such as 100% foreign ownership and tax exemptions, which make Qatar attractive for international investment.
The discussions were part of Portugal’s participation in the Web Summit—a large tech conference anticipated to boost technological exchanges and collaborations. The Portuguese administration is optimistic about fostering relationships with Qatari firms, which have shown interest in collaborating across multiple industries.
Sweden is also part of Qatar’s growing list of international partners, with a recent delegation exploring opportunities aligned with the country’s technological and innovation sectors. The delegation visited Qatar during the Web Summit Qatar 2025. Swedish Ambassador to Qatar, H E Gautam Bhattacharyya, stressed the momentum building between the two nations, citing the Amir's previous visit to Sweden and other exchanges as pivotal moments for cooperation. “The timing is perfect right now for this serious delegation from Sweden to visit Qatar,” stated Bhattacharyya, indicating the importance of the growing relationship.
During this concerted effort, meetings were held to discuss collaborative ventures and the potential for partnerships between Qatari corporations and Swedish startups. The delegation included members from various incubators, science parks, and five startups, showcasing Sweden’s commitment to innovation-driven solutions.
Qatar's strategic importance as a regional gateway became evident during these discussions. The Swedish delegation highlighted the country’s willingness to explore collaborations across various sectors, including climate technology, AI, and life sciences, which are pivotal areas for future growth.
Particularly noteworthy was the agreement between Graphmatech, represented within the Swedish delegation, and AiSciA Informatics, focused on developing sustainable materials through innovative technologies. This memorandum of understand (MoU) will accelerate advancements in materials innovation, aiming at applications such as energy, construction, and packaging.
Reflecting on the close ties between research and industry, the VP of Philanthropy and International Collaboration at SISP, Sasan Shaba, emphasized Qatar’s potential for collaboration, remarking, “Sweden is a small, smart country, and Qatar is also small but strategic.”
Qatar’s dynamic push to establish itself as both a technological hub and strong global player is clear through these varied partnerships and political engagements. By prioritizing international cooperation, Qatar aims to not only fortify its own economic future but also to contribute effectively to global innovations.