HSBC Qatar CEO Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi; Peter Cook, managing director of the new British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar; and Vodafone Qatar CEO Kyle Whitehill after the meeting.
In a meeting with three of the biggest British businesses operating in Qatar, the British Chamber of Commerce (BCCQ) applauded Vodafone, HSBC and British Airways’ achievements in the country and their contribution to realising the Qatar National Vision 2030.
There are more than 400 British companies operating in Qatar, including some of the world’s best-known brands that are each bringing better choice, value and customer experience to the market.
Qatar and the UK have enjoyed a strong and growing relationship for decades in the areas of business, education, culture, science and sports.
“Britain’s businesses are going from strength to strength in Qatar; Vodafone, HSBC and British Airways are excellent examples of British companies operating successfully in Qatar,” said Peter Cook, managing director of the new British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, established in January this year.
“UK exports are up 30% over the last 12 months and UK companies continue to feature strongly in winning key contracts.” The announcement of another leading UK architect winning the design for latest World Cup stadium illustrates the success that UK firms are achieving.
“It could not be a better time to start a new business here and the new British Chamber is specifically tasked to help strengthen business between UK and Qatar,” Cook added.
Vodafone Qatar CEO Kyle Whitehill said, “In Vodafone’s short seven year history, we have transformed the telecommunications market, bringing the much needed competition. As part of Vodafone Group Plc, one of the world’s biggest telecommunications companies, we are bringing the best of our global experience and most advanced technologies to Qatar. Vodafone is proud to be a founding member of BCCQ; their support will help us grow and compete across the market.”
HSBC Qatar CEO Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi said, “HSBC Bank Middle East has been present in Qatar since 1954 and over the past sixty one years played an important role in the banking and finance industry in the country. To be connected to the community is one of our core corporate values and as an international bank in Qatar we are very well-placed to connect our customers to opportunities outside of the country and connect business partners with opportunities within Qatar. We are therefore honoured to support the BCCQ in their endeavour to build strong cross-border business relations between Qatar and the UK.”
Paolo De Renzis, British Airways’ area commercial manager for the Middle East & Central Asia said, “British Airways is proud to have a long-standing heritage in the Middle East with over 80 years of operations across the region. We now operate a daily flight on our Qatar to London Heathrow route offering our customers access to a worldwide network of 188 destinations. We are continuing to invest in Qatar; as like the BCCQ, we see great potential in this market. We have recently rolled out new first cabins across our 777 fleet so that passengers from Doha can choose from four different cabin experiences when they fly British Airways.”
Whether you are a new UK business seeking to break into the market, or a business already actively trading in Qatar, there is a great deal of support on offer from the new Chamber. From finding agents or local partners, from tackling barriers to trade, or leveraging access to key opportunities, the Chamber is ideally placed to help.
