Doha is fast becoming a significant hub for economic and business activities, as evidenced by recent high-profile meetings and forums aimed at enhancing trade and investment. One of the key highlights was the Qatar-Angola Business Meeting, which brought together notable officials and business leaders from both nations to discuss boosting bilateral trade.
Held at the Qatar Chamber (QC), the meeting was attended by Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba, the Second Vice-Chairman of QC, who emphasized the importance of activating the role of the private sector. Despite the distinguished diplomatic relations between Qatar and Angola, the trade volume, which amounted to QR42 million in 2023, remains below expectations.
Al Athba stated, “This meeting represented a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the business sectors of both countries.” He expressed hope for the newly signed memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the exchange of economic information and encourage regular engagements among representatives from both nations.
The MoU aims at enhancing cooperation on various fronts, including exhibitions and exchange visits, thereby fostering new economic and investment partnerships. Al Athba pointed out Angola’s status as a burgeoning economic powerhouse on the African continent, presenting diverse investment opportunities for Qatar. “Angola has made significant strides,” he stated, noting its drive toward creating a prosperous economy and improving its foreign investment climate.
Alongside this event, the third edition of the annual Qatar Financial Market Forum was held, which attracted key stakeholders from across the globe. The forum, themed 'Public Growth and Private Capital,' provided platforms for discussions on the latest trends affecting financial capital markets.
QFC Chief Executive Officer Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida underscored the event’s significance, stating, “We are living in a time of deep transformation; climate change, technological advances, and geopolitical shifts are reshaping economies.” His remarks outlined the necessity for continuity and adaptability within the financial markets, particularly as investors seek alternative assets like private equity amid global uncertainties.
Al Jaida shared insights on how sustainable investments with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are becoming increasingly pivotal. “These trends are redefining investment strategies and are integral to ensuring the long-term resilience of financial markets,” he noted.
The forum also included discussions spotlighting climate-oriented investment strategies, including insights from Dr. Alexandra Soezer, whose contributions emphasized the importance of aligning investment goals with climate targets.
Meanwhile, Qatar's maritime sector is also set for significant growth, highlighted during the inaugural Seatrade Maritime Qatar event. The Director of Trade Development and Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hamad Mohammed Al Nasr, expressed the event’s role as a unique opportunity for enhancing global partnerships.
With over 200 delegates present, Al Nasr emphasized the importance of international collaboration, particularly as Qatar seeks to bolster its maritime transportation and logistics capabilities. He noted, “Improving competitiveness has contributed to significant growth in trade exchange between our ports and various international agreements.”
He also remarked on how Qatar’s 2024-2030 development strategy aligns with global trends toward sustainability and innovation within the maritime industry. Topics such as cybersecurity challenges in the digital maritime industry and upcoming regional developments formed part of the comprehensive discussions.
Complementing these business activities, Qatar is showing resilience and optimism heading toward 2025. The Qatari economy is rebounding strongly, with projections of significant growth across sectors like banking, upstream energy production, and construction. Efforts by QatarEnergy to raise oil and gas production capacity reflect the country’s ambition to maintain its status as one of the key players in the global market.
The economic outlook for Qatar paints a promising picture. By leveraging partnerships and ensuring strategic investments, Qatar aims to not only navigate through global challenges but to emerge stronger and more competitive.
With various sectors set for recovery and expansion, Qatar is clearly staking its claim as a leading business destination, nurturing both local and international investments as it looks forward to economic activities flourishing through 2025 and beyond.