Qatar Chamber recently set up a new Technology and Innovation Committee to accelerate digital transformation across the country's private sector, with an open invitation extended to German technology firms to join the body.
The committee aims to support business digital transformation, promote technology adoption, and strengthen cooperation with global innovation partners, according to Qatar Chamber board member Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Obaidli.
Al-Obaidli made the remarks while participating in the first panel session of the 29th Arab-German Business Forum in Germany, held under the theme 'Partner Country Qatar – Navigating Global Change: Investment, Innovation, and Strategic Cooperation in Times of Uncertainty'.
The session, moderated by Ghorfa president Olaf Hoffmann, examined Qatar's position as a stable and diversified global hub driven by its economic spread across energy, infrastructure, technology, aviation, tourism, and education.
It also addressed the impact of geopolitical shifts on global trade and Qatar's innovation-led development model, as well as the country's economic partnership with Germany.
Al-Obaidli described the committee as a bridge connecting technology providers, investors, policymakers, academia, startups, and the private sector to convert innovation into measurable economic value and business growth.
He added that the committee also seeks to strengthen Qatar's standing as a globally connected digital economy hub, enabling businesses to tap into international markets and new digital opportunities.
On a practical level, the committee will support SMEs and larger enterprises through digital transformation programmes, AI adoption initiatives, startup-corporate collaboration, innovation partnerships, cybersecurity readiness, workforce upskilling, and access to funding and technology ecosystems, al-Obaidli noted.
During the forum discussions, al-Obaidli said Germany is among the most prominent trading partners of Arab countries, with bilateral trade reaching approximately €57.6bn in 2024.
He also noted that joint investments between Germany and Arab countries have helped cement longstanding economic ties between both sides.
On the Qatar-Germany relationship specifically, al-Obaidli pointed out that more than “300” German companies are active in the Qatari market across sectors including energy, technology, services, construction, railways, telecommunications, and medical devices and equipment.
Germany ranks as the third-largest European destination for Qatari investments, while Qatar stands as one of the largest investors in the German economy, with investments totalling around €25bn, he stated.
Al-Obaidli said Qatar Chamber has a role in building communication channels between the business communities of both countries, facilitating investment and trade partnerships, and turning the bilateral relationship into tangible economic projects.
He added that Qatar Chamber's engagement with Germany will extend beyond trade volumes to leading strategic partnerships in innovation, entrepreneurship, and joint investment in technology and advanced industry.
