More international companies are eyeing business opportunities in Qatar’s food and tourism sectors, as well as in legal services, an official of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Qatar has said.

According to its chairperson, Palma Libotte, there are more “quality” international companies coming to Qatar, which, she described as “focused” on their plans in Qatar. “This is why we have added the food, tourism, and legal services to the upcoming ‘Back to Business’ because of the high demand of these sectors,” Libotte said of the networking event slated on October 29in Doha.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Libotte noted that legal services will play a significant role with the entry of new, international small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which “is a sign that we are going forward to the next step.”
Kathrin Lemke of the German Industry and Commerce Office (AHK) added that the international community “has positively seen the changes” that were enforced in Qatar, especially after the economic blockade. 
“Also, the legal structure for foreign direct investment is very important for an international company to do business in Qatar in the future,” Lemke said.
In a speech during the press conference, Italian ambassador Pascuale Salzano revealed that a new factory is slated to open in one of Qatar’s free zones. “These new trends, openness, and opportunities are creating interest among Italian companies. I cannot disclose the name but in the future, there is a very important and historical Italian company that will come to Qatar and open a manufacturing factory. Thanks to the new legislation, Qatar is very favourable for investments,” Salzano said.

German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel, who was also present during the event, also revealed that a “huge project is coming up to assist Qatar in setting up reserves with regard to food and raw materials.” The German ambassador added that “many companies” had expressed interest in setting up activities in Qatar’s free zones. “The business communities participating in the ‘Back to Business’ event are very keen to show the interaction of all partners. We are all together with Qatar,” Muzel said.
Muzel also said the Joint Task Force on Trade and Investment will convene for the first time on the sidelines of the Doha Forum slated from December 15 to 17. The task force was formalised during the ninth edition of the ‘Qatar-Germany Business and Investment Forum’ held in Berlin last September.
The ‘Back to Business’ event, initially conceived by the Italian and German chambers in Qatar, is expected to attract more than 300 international and local participants and involves other organisations like the Qatari Businessmen Association, the chambers of commerce from the US and Sweden, the business councils of Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, Maison De France, Irish Professional Business Network, and the Qatar-British Business Forum. Tickets for the event are available at the Italian and German chambers of commerce.

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