The Qatar Chapter of the global network of entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO) met with the Indian Ambassador Sanjiv Arora yesterday and discussed possible ways of strengthening entrepreneurial links between the two countries as a catalyst for economic diversification and growth.
The meeting was held at the Grand Hyatt Doha and covered a range of issues including the nature of the ongoing and deep-rooted ties between the two nations, ways to increase the flow of business ideas and expertise, and potential new ventures between the two respective economies.
India is Qatar’s fourth largest export market after Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Qatar’s imported goods from India in the year of 2009-2010 constituted a total of $537mn, while its exported goods for the same year amounted to $4.6bn.
The Indian community in Qatar is estimated at more than 500,000, those of which Indian professionals constitute an important segment of that community.
EO Qatar vice-president Abdulsalam Abu Isa said: “As a local chapter of a global organisation and linked to sister EO chapters in South Asia that have over 900 members and with a total of $87bn in sales, the cultural diversity of our entrepreneurial community in Qatar means that, we can play a unique role in bridging entrepreneurial forces between companies abroad and companies based here in Qatar.”
During the meeting, a session was held to demonstrate the relationship between companies abroad and companies in Qatar.
It was, organised by EO Qatar board member Dr Tejinder Singh, founder and CEO of BPO+.
“To share the possibilities for offshore manufacturing in India, Ambassador Arora introduced the ‘Make in India’ initiative, as well as the different ways the Indian delegation can support all entrepreneurs in Qatar with introductions to Indian business organisations,” Singh said. “As membership chair of the EO Qatar board, we welcome all Qatar-based entrepreneurs and business owners to engage with us in opportunities for networking and learning.”
The event was attended by Qatari and expatriate EO members, who engaged in a wide-range of discussions over issues and business opportunities in the bi-lateral relationship between the countries.
EO Qatar is the country chapter of EO Global, a network of more than 10,000 business owners in some 46 countries with average annual sales of $27mn. Members of EO Qatar are all self-made entrepreneurs and own successful businesses that meet global minimum revenue requirements.
The organisation’s membership is a diverse mix of Qataris and expatriates from Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia.
The EO Qatar Chapter was established in 2009 and currently has more than 20 members who employ nearly 3,000 employees. Members of EO Qatar are involved in various sectors including public relations, legal services, hospitality, wireless communications, multi-media, on-line services, business process optimisation outsourcing, publishing, consumer product manufacturing, retail, green technologies and renewable energy.
EO Qatar is established as a branch of the Qatar Businessmen Association.
