Canadian-Qatari Business Forum aims to solidify Qatar as key gateway

The Canadian-Qatari Business Forum (CQBF) is embarking on an ambitious drive to significantly enhance economic and strategic ties between Canada and Qatar, positioning the Gulf nation as a key gateway for Canadian investment in the region.

CQBF Executive Director Yasser Dhouib underscored this objective during a recent visit to Doha, emphasising that his primary goal was “creating an outreach” for the forum by meeting with leading public and private sector players in the country.

He noted that the initiative builds on growing bilateral relations, stating, “the momentum has been created by the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Canada in September last year.”

Dhouib described the relationship between the two nations as “flourishing, blossoming, and driven by geo-strategic factors.”

“Canada is much more interested in cementing its footprint in the region by using Qatar as a gateway, and by maximising the opportunities Qatar is offering,” Dhouib explained, adding that “the CQBF is aiming to get Canadian companies to invest and establish their offices here.”

The CQBF executive also highlighted Canada’s significant contributions to potential partnerships, saying, “Canada has many initiatives and investment opportunities to make this partnership flourish.”

He said: “Canada is one of the important nations at the forefront of health technology, artificial intelligence, education, and clean tech, among other sectors; the Canadian ecosystem is amazing and has a lot to offer its international partners.”

While acknowledging the existing political willingness from both countries, Dhouib stressed the necessity for active engagement from the Canadian private sector.

“We need Canadian companies, businessmen, and the business community in Canada to come to Qatar and recognise that it is an amazing country that offers numerous opportunities for business,” he pointed out.

During his visit to Doha, Dhouib said he held meetings with key Qatari institutions, including the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), as well as other leading companies, to explore ways to actively forge future partnerships.

He explained that the Canada-Qatar Business Forum (CQBF) aims to establish a strong presence within Qatar’s business community. “We have a team in Canada, but we truly want to build a team in Qatar that is rooted in the local business community. Our goal is to increase membership within the CQBF,” he noted.

Dhouib also commended the instrumental support from both nations’ diplomatic missions, saying, the ambassadors of both countries “have played an enormous role.” He added that his recent visit was “conclusive,” having established “important layers for a more constructive approach” in bolstering the Canada-Qatar strategic partnership.