The Dutch Business Council in Qatar (DBCQ) hosted a forum titled ‘The Power of Service in Qatar’, which highlighted the service sector’s role in promoting investment opportunities in Doha.
During the forum, Dutch ambassador Dr Bahia Tahzib-Lie and and DBCQ chairman Robert Willem Cats underlined the importance of service as an enabler to advance business opportunities and strengthen relationships, and the contribution of Dutch companies in Qatar in this area.
The two officials also welcomed Houtan Houmayounpour, head of the ILO Project Office in Qatar, and congratulated him on the recent amendment of the residency law to allow most foreign workers to leave the country without exit permits.
The Dutch business community discussed the opportunities and challenges of the service industry in Qatar during the event.
“Service is something we can do every day, in so many ways. I am proud to witness how the Dutch business communities and their families give their time, energy, devotion and expertise to help others in Qatar: at the office, in the community, and at home.
“Service is important to the Netherlands embassy. It is an integral part of our vision and mission statement. As a gateway and key accelerator for vibrant relations between the Netherlands and Qatar, we provide top-quality services, knowledge, and focused support. There is no greater honour than service!” the ambassador said.
Guest speakers from the TMF Group, Ernst & Young, and K&L Gates shared their experiences on providing services on tax, dispute handling, law, human resources, and accounting matters, and stressed the importance of combining an international network with a strong local presence and relationships.
They all expressed their optimism about the market potential and the growing market opportunities for both established and new business initiatives and underlined a joint commitment to contribute to Qatar’s growth.
“We are proud of our Dutch heritage and network, and see that the market in Qatar has tremendous opportunities for us to contribute with our expertise, high-quality services, and entrepreneurial spirit.
“We are very pleased to see that Qatar is supporting the facilitation of new business initiatives, which will provide many opportunities for our Dutch entrepreneurs. We are keen to contribute to Qatar’s development and growth,” Cats added.
Established in 2006, DBCQ supports the interests of the Dutch business community in Qatar. It currently has 100 members.
