Harnessing digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and banking for strategic investments and global co-operation

Combining digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and banking systems is essential for establishing a strong foundation for significant investments and global partnerships, according to Qatar Chamber board member Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Obaidli.

He was speaking during the first of seven panel discussions held on the sidelines of the inaugural ‘Qatar Trade and Treasury Transformation Summit’ held yesterday in Doha under the patronage of HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani.

Under the theme ‘Qatar’s Growing Firepower as a Trading Nation’, al-Obaidli was joined by fellow panellists Mubarak al-Sulaiti, founder and chairman of Al Sulaiti Law Firm; Ashraf Abuissa, chairman, AbuIssa Holding; and Fahad Badar, executive general manager and Chief Wholesale and International Banking officer at Commercial Bank Qatar.

During the discussion, al-Obaidli emphasised that integrating digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and financial and banking systems plays a vital role in laying a solid foundation for bold investments and global partnerships. He also highlighted the importance of regional co-operation in enhancing Qatar’s trade competitiveness.

He stressed that Qatar has solidified its position as a leading global trade hub and boosted its economic impact as a key partner in international trade and investment, highlighting that this was achieved through various mechanisms, including legislative and regulatory reforms, energy diversification and sustainability, and the development of advanced infrastructure and logistics.

Abuissa emphasised the importance of fostering economic and trade co-operation with countries in the region, particularly the GCC. He also highlighted the need to explore new global markets considering current economic challenges and to capitalise on the significant progress Qatar has achieved in sectors such as communications, media, tourism, industry, and others.

Al-Sulaiti discussed the legal and legislative environment for business in Qatar, emphasising that laws and regulations are integral to trade and economic activity. He highlighted the importance of organising the Qatar Trade and Treasury Transformation Summit as a platform to present ideas and visions in light of global economic developments.

In turn, Badar highlighted Commercial Bank Qatar’s efforts in the fintech sector, particularly its commitment to developing and implementing innovative financial solutions in alignment with the Qatar Fintech Strategy 2023 launched by the Qatar Central Bank.

The second session titled ‘Tackling Money Laundering, Sanctions, and Fraud’ featured Sheikh Dr Thani al-Thani, board of director of International Relations at the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA); Claudia al-Hage, managing partner at Rashed R Al Marri Law Office; and Dhritimaan Shukla, partner at Ernst & Young.

Sheikh Dr Thani reviewed the key legal mechanisms regulating anti-money laundering efforts in Qatar, specifically referring to Law No 20 of 2019. He also outlined the restrictions and obligations placed on professionals, including lawyers, in the country’s fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

The following experts tackled ‘The Future of Trade Finance: Reaping the Rewards of Digital Transformation’ during the third panel discussion: Alaa al-Rousan, head of Mena at SWIFT; Hussam al-Kokhon, head of Trade Finance at CQUR Bank; Venkata Surya Prasad Indraganti, head of Transaction Banking at Commercial Bank Qatar; Clyde Rosanowski, senior vice-president of Corporate Solutions and head of EEMEA at Mastercard; and Bojan Čekrlić, CEO of CargoX.

The fourth session titled ‘Treasury Transformation – Moving from Theory to Reality’ featured Derek Kwok, Chief Treasury and International Banking officer at Ahli Bank; Tahir Pirzada, general manager/group treasurer and Financial Institutions, Al Rayan Bank; Dr Fawad Ishaq, Chief Treasury and Investments officer, Doha Bank; Dr Ghada M Darwish Karbon, founder and managing partner, Dr Ghada M Darwish Karbon Law Firm; and Dr Alanoud al-Maadid, head of the Economics and Finance Department at Qatar University.

Meanwhile, Dr Bothaina al-Ansari, chairwoman/adviser, Just Real Estate; Mashael Mohammed al-Sulaiti, founder and chairwoman of Mashael Al Sulaiti Law Firm; Maha al-Saadi, head of Regulatory Affairs at the Qatar Financial Centre; and Fatenah al-Danab, head of Trade and Working Capital at Barclays Bank, participated in the fifth session titled ‘Empowering Women - Trade and Treasury in the Mena Region’.

The sixth session, ‘Optimising Islamic Factoring Operations: Modern Workflow Solutions’, and the seventh session, ‘Cross-Border Payments: From Instant Payments and Blockchain Payments to Embedded FX’, explored advancements in financial technologies and infrastructure that are transforming payment systems and trade finance in the region.