QBA, Qadran discuss role of Qatari businessmen in economic development

The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) met yesterday with a delegation from the Qatari-French Business Association (Qadran) during a private lunch where both parties discussed ways to enhance economic ties between Qatar and France.
In a statement, the QBA said it organised the event in honour of the visit of the Qadran delegation headed by founding member Alexandre Zibaut, who is also general manager of QNB France. Representatives from major French companies such as Thales, Alstom, Egis, Constructa, Katara Hospitality France, and Bein Sports France, among others also attended.
Hosting the delegation were QBA chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani; QBA first deputy chairman Hussain Alfardan; QBA second deputy chairman Sheikh Khalid bin Thani al-Thani; QBA board members Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani, Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, and Saud al-Mana. They were joined by QBA members Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-Thani, Ihsan al-Khayami, and Baladna Group CEO Dr Kamel Abdallah, as well as QBA deputy GM Sarah Abdullah.
Sheikh Faisal welcomed the French delegation and spoke about the historical relations between Qatar and France. He also pointed out the keenness of Qatari businessmen to discuss ways of co-operation and potential investment opportunities with their French counterparts, whether in Qatar or France.
The French delegation thanked QBA for hosting the meeting, and noted that Qadran will conduct visits between businessmen of both countries to discuss means for developing bilateral trade.
QBA members also talked about the association’s participation in the visit prepared by Qatar’s embassy in France last September, in co-operation with Qadran, to the city of Marseille.
This was held in the framework of strengthening friendship and co-operation with major French cities, especially Marseille, where the Qatari delegation visited several architectural and technological projects. The delegation also explored co-operation and investment opportunities, and discussed partnership opportunities concerning the establishment of similar models for these projects in Qatar.
During the lunch meeting, both parties also discussed the economic development taking place in Qatar, where they pointed out the role of QBA in studying the investment contexts between the two countries, and how to enhance the chances of partnership and co-operation. The French side, on the other hand, stressed the existence of broad prospects for co-operation in the fields of construction, tourism, industry, and innovative technology.
Also, QBA members discussed the Qatari economy and how it is moving towards diversification according to the National Strategy 2017-2022 and the Qatar National Vision 2030, highlighting the attractiveness of Doha to foreign investors. 
The lunch meeting is also a follow-up to the QBA’s visit to Marseille in September, where it explored investment opportunities. Qadran is a Qatari initiative launched in France in 2015 to promote discussions and dialogues between companies and economic leaders in both countries.