HEC Paris participated in a roundtable at Vision Golfe, an innovative platform dedicated to enhancing business collaboration between France and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) region.
Dr Pablo Martin De Holan, dean of HEC Paris in Qatar, moderated a roundtable discussion focused on ‘Doing Business in the Gulf Countries’.
The panel included Sherif Shawki, regional tax leader, PWC; Mohamed Ben Laden, president, Conseil d’Affaires Franco-Saoudien; Khaled Abbas, Group head of Wholesale Banking, Gulf International Bank; Kamal Rhazali, secretary-general and general counsel of the Accor Group’s Luxury & Lifestyle division, and co-president of Qadran, the Franco-Qatari economic circle, represented by Nathalie Demol Belondrade, director legal of Katara Hospitality and founding board member of Qadran; and Jamal al-Jarwan, secretary-general of the UAE International Investor Council.
Participants shared views on the improvements GCC countries have made to their business environments, which have spurred rapid economic growth. They also highlighted the region’s unique challenges and opportunities.
With its solid GCC presence through its state-of-the-art campus in Doha, its extensive Qatar-based and regional client network, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Saudi Aramco, and its growing multi-sector alumni, HEC Paris has leveraged its expertise to focus discussions on emerging opportunities within the region.
De Holan said: “Establishing robust partnerships based on trust, leveraging innovation, and prioritising sustainability are key factors for success in today’s dynamic business in the GCC. The significant accomplishments of HEC Paris in Qatar and the GCC over the past 13 years showcase the immense potential for French organisations when they embrace a culture of collaboration and mutual understanding in a very dynamic region that fosters cross-sector cooperation. HEC Paris is proud of its presence in Qatar and the Gulf with world-class programmes.”
Vision Golfe conference featured more than 1,000 business meetings and 15 themed panel discussions and workshops. The conference brought together key decision-makers from the private and public sectors, including policymakers, ministries from the GCC and France, business leaders, high-potential midcaps, SMEs, and startups.
The panel of experts during the roundtable discussion.
