A view of the QDB building in Doha. The International Trade Centre’s ‘15th World Export Development Forum’, slated on October 20 and 21 in Doha, is expected to be attended by more than 600 international experts, QDB says. PICTURE: Nasar T.K.

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has announced that it will be hosting the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) “15th World Export Development Forum” (WEDF) slated on October 20 and 21 in Doha.
Held for the first time in the Middle East under the theme “Sustainable Trade: Innovate, Invest, Internationalise,” the forum is expected to be attended by more than 600 international experts, QDB said.
The event will also gather representatives from the government and private sector, as well as development and promotion of exports organisations and institutes to discuss efforts to unlock the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women, and the youth.
The forum aims to reveal the role of decision-makers and business partners to achieve the goals of sustainable development by empowering SMEs and assisting them in finding innovative solutions and new partnerships to help enter new markets. Topics during the forum will include the Halal food industry and its role in the evolving export opportunities for SMEs.
Also, the event will be highlighted by high-level plenary sessions, workshops, and bilateral meetings between businessmen to support SMEs in the tourism, food, and plastic products sectors.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani said QDB continues to promote and support all initiatives that will support SMEs and build export capacity for Qatari companies through the establishment of full service financial and advisory solutions.
In 2011, QDB established its “Tasdeer” programme to develop Qatari non-hydrocarbon exports by providing financial services and insurance solutions. QDB also provides a number of services that help build capabilities and competencies of exporting companies, raising public awareness of the sector, and its role in achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.
ITC executive director Arancha González said this year’s WEDF “is an opportunity for global thought leaders and business practitioners to discuss how the role of trade can be strengthened in spurring social and economic growth in developing countries.”
“Not only will it be a platform to share best practices and know-how, it will be a venue for doing business, as tailored B2B meetings will allow SMEs to tap into new trade opportunities,” she said.
QDB CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa said: “I would like to thank the Ministry of Finance for entrusting QDB to host this global gathering of policymakers, businessmen, financial experts, and experts in exports field of SMEs. We are delighted to host such an international forum, which clearly demonstrates the strength of Qatar’s economy.
“As a part of our core mission, QDB supports Qatari exporters and SMEs. Our strategy encourages the private sector to export their products based on well-prepared and tailored market studies of Qatari products, examining quality, pricing, and imported products in relevant target markets. Our goals are fully-aligned with the World Export Development Forum agenda.”
To register, visit http://www.intracen.org/itc/events/world-export-development-forum/.


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