HE Sheikh Ahmed addressing the Qatari-British Economic Forum at the Park Lane Hilton in London yesterday. Right: Qatari business leaders Hussein Alfardan (third right), Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani al-Thani (second left), Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani (third left), with Sheikh Abdulla Khalid al-Thani, Sheikh Turki Khalid al-Thani and Ahmed al-Kuwari at the forum.

By Denise Marray

Gulf Times Correspondent
London

The Qatari-British Economic Forum held in London yesterday at the Park Lane Hilton saw high-level presentations from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Qatar; the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry; the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce and the UK Trade & Investment.

In his keynote address, HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, Minister of Economy & Commerce, said that there are a wealth of opportunities for foreign investment and participation around the 2022 World Cup, in addition to major road and rail projects.

He also emphasised that with Qatar’s economic diversification away from oil & gas,  there is considerable potential for companies across a wide range of sectors. He described the relationship between the UK and Qatar as “mutually beneficial” and said that trade relations were “going in the right direction”.  He noted that 79 wholly British companies operated in Qatar and cited the favourable tax and ownership terms as proving attractive to companies.

Speaking to Gulf Times at the conference, he said: “Investment in infrastructure, healthcare and education is open for foreign investment. We have liberalised a lot of our business sectors — the opportunities are open.”

Lord Astor of Hever DL, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and the Lords Spokesman on Defence, United Kingdom, in his address to the conference, thanked the high-level Qatari delegation for giving their time and energy to the London visit. He said that strengthening commercial links between the UK and Qatar is a priority and expressed his appreciation for the “long-term and responsible Qatari investments in the UK”, which, he said indicated the confidence that Qatar has in the British economy.

Looking ahead to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he said that he expected this would be “be highly successful”.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammad al-Thani, chairman, Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said the business delegation accompanying HH the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to the UK this week comprises some 65 members, indicating the high-level nature of the visit. He observed that apart from the widely reported investments from QIA and the government, “there are billions of dollars going into the UK economy from the Qatari private sector — mostly in real estate and tourism.”

He added: “We hope that more investment will flow into Qatar from the UK. We need a focus on tourism, education and infrastructure.”

Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, Qatar Investment Authority, asked for his view of the conference, said: “I think it’s one of the best events of this kind that I have attended. I think the future is very positive for trade and I see a lot of good British companies attending.”

Keynote speaker Baroness Symons, chairman, Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, UK, spoke to Gulf Times about her perception of the country.

“Qatar is a very forward-leaning country in the sense that it has done very well with regard to the education of women from primary school right the way through to university. It has some of the most innovative technology anywhere in the region. It takes a huge interest and invests in renewable energies, not just relying on the sources that we have all relied on for so long.”

She added: “I made a point of saying (in my speech) that Qatar is a place where there is a lot of innovative thinking, not just over those issues that I have mentioned above, but with regard to politics and policies as well. We all have different ways of running our countries — there are different laws and some we feel more comfortable with than others. But it would be a mistake to think that Qatar has stopped thinking about how it is renewing itself in a wide range of ways. It is looking at a lot of the customs and practices that give rise for concern in this country and I think that it has demonstrated that it is open minded about changing those for the future. I would like to continue talking about those things that we find difficult — open criticism may be useful in all sorts of ways but I find that private discussion usually gets you much further.”

 

Delegates hail new business opportunities

Gulf Times Correspondent
London



There was a high level turnout at the Qatari-British Economic Forum. Gulf Times spoke to a number of delegates to get their take on the event.

Saud O al-Mana, vice-chairman, chief executive officer, the Almana Group, said: “This is a high-level event on both sides — Qatari and British. This shows the strong relationship between Qatar and the UK, which has lately grown even stronger, especially in the trading sector. The purpose of this conference is to show how to direct businesses towards the right channels and make it an easier process to invest in Qatar.”

Abdulla Ahdelaziz al-Khater, chairman and CEO, Abdalla Alkhater Group, said: “I think a lot can come out of this meeting today. I think the British business community have a great opportunity because of the long history between Qatar and Britain and the mutual understanding between the two countries.”

Former UK Trade Minister, Lord Green commented: “I think the role of UKTI and the British Chamber in Qatar and the growing linkages between the chamber there and chambers in the UK mean that more and more British companies can have real access to the kind of knowledge you need to do business in a place like Qatar.”

Dr Hassan Osman, wireless technology consultant, Realwireless, explained that his company advises operators, regulators and big companies on the future of wireless. He said: “We hope to find a new market for our company in Qatar. We want to expand and find new opportunities in the Middle East.”

Joseph L Brand, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs, Washington, DC, a global law firm which has four offices in the Middle East including Doha, said: “We have a keen interest in matters affecting Doha, and we are impressed by the participation of such senior government officials at this forum.”

Adam Grainger, Cappo Qatar LLC and Networking International plc, said: “I am interested in opportunities to get Networkers’ International’s construction business into Qatar and help with the 2022 efforts towards the World Cup.”

Mohammed Khalid al-Rabban, Director, Al Rabban Holding, said: “We are looking for new opportunities in the construction sector. I own a ready mix concrete company and most of my staff are British — so I think a JV between us would be a good idea.”

Nasser Sulemain al-Haida, chairman, Al Sulemain, said he was interested in promoting the energy and hospitality sectors of his groups’ business.

Michael Thomas, chairman, Pathfinder, said: “There are major opportunities for UK businesses in healthcare, education and personal, border and cyber security.”

Zaffar Ajaib, managing director, Technology Partners, said: “We are looking to extend our business opportunities to Qatar. Our skill set is providing industry specific knowledge for manufacturing, construction and finance companies — people are looking to automate more and more processes.”

Paul Edwards, managing director, Strategic Effect Ltd, said: “I am here to promote British companies to operate in Qatar and I am representing a maritime company called Missioncraft which specialises in high tech products including boats and catamarans.”

 

 

 

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