Qatar Chamber, represented by acting general manager Ali Saeed Bu Sherbak al-Mansouri, has participated in the inaugural GCC Economic Forum, held in Doha under the theme ‘Integrating Trade and Diversifying Economic Clusters in Qatar’.
Organised by Qatar University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI), the forum brought together a distinguished group of policymakers, experts, and leaders from both the public and private sectors.
The forum featured a session that addressed trade and economic integration among GCC countries, exploring the challenges, opportunities, and policies influencing the Qatari economy. Another session focused on the role of public-private partnerships, incentives to support economic clusters, and best practices to enhance institutional cooperation and stimulate growth in vital sectors.
In the first session, al-Mansouri presented a working paper highlighting the main challenges and opportunities facing trade integration among GCC nations. He also emphasised the importance of joint co-operation among GCC countries in building integrated production chains, particularly in sectors like renewable energy and petrochemicals.
He also noted that the availability of modern infrastructure, including ports, highways, and free zones, presents an ideal opportunity to accelerate trade integration and boost regional economic collaboration.
Regarding the impact of regional trade policies on Qatar’s economy, al-Mansouri noted that the GCC Customs Union has significantly contributed to reducing administrative complexities for Qatari exporters, thereby facilitating access to Gulf markets. He emphasised that the GCC market serves as a vital outlet for Qatar to promote its products and services within a familiar and accessible regional environment.
Al-Mansouri underscored the importance of adopting targeted strategies to maximise the benefits of regional co-operation. These strategies include enhancing digital and customs integration across GCC countries, co-ordinating industrial and trade policies to foster synergies, supporting cross-border small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and developing joint financing mechanisms to support infrastructure and major industrial projects.
Qatar Chamber acting general manager Ali Saeed Bu Sherbak al-Mansouri speaking at the GCC Economic Forum held in Doha under the theme ‘Integrating Trade and Diversifying Economic Clusters in Qatar’.
