Private sector progress is a main indicator of development in advanced countries, said HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari.
The minister was speaking at a meeting hosted in his honour by Qatari Businessmen Association at QBA headquarters Saturday.
Al-Kuwari noted Qatari financial institutions and companies have become globally competitive and are present in major European and American markets through successful investments. These have served the goals of developing the national economy and transferring expertise and knowledge to the local market.


HE Sheikh Faisal presents ‘QBA honorary shield’ to HE al-Kuwari as Alfardan, Issa and other QBA leaders look o


QBA noted the minister’s visit was aimed at “reinforcing communication with the Qatari business community and Qatari businessmen, exchanging views and informing them of the ministry's initiatives that are put in the service of the national economy and its development.”
Among the dignitaries present were QBA chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, QBA first deputy chairman Hussain Alfardan, and QBA secretary general Issa Abu Issa.
QBA Board members Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani, Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Sherida al-Kaabi, Saud al-Mana and members, Nasser al-Haider, Khaled al-Mannai, Nabil Abu Issa, Ashraf Abu Issa, Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal al-Thani, Sheikh Faisal Bin Fahad al-Thani, Maqbool Khalfan, Ramez al-Khyat, Mohamed Althaf, Hamad al-Hedfa and Ihsan al-Khiyami all attended the meeting.
Also, Sheikh Turki bin Faisal al-Thani, Abdulsalam Abu Issa, Sheikh Nasser bin Nawaf al-Thani and Sarah Abdallah QBA deputy general manager attended the meeting.
QBA chairman and members thanked al-Kuwari for the visit and the importance of joint and close cooperation between the public and private sectors to serve the national economy.
They also discussed the effective economic initiatives of various policies, legislation and projects that were put into effect under the guidance of his Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, , which aimed at empowering national institutions and encouraging businessmen to make the best use of the industrial sector.
These initiatives were adopted by the Qatari government led by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani through its ministries.
Several legislations were issued, such as the new investment law and those pertaining to the Free Zones Authority, single window facility, and storage areas. All of these “secure the appropriate infrastructure to develop national production and achieve self-sufficiency.”
As for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, QBA noted “its role is very significant and distinguished by the speedy implementation and interaction with the business community.”
Minister al-Kuwari thanked QBA chairman and members for welcoming him, and stressed the importance of Qatari Businessmen Association and the role of the business community in promoting Qatar as a centre for investment in the region and attracting investors and expertise through its activities. These are through conferences, workshops and cooperation with business and trade institutions and associations in markets around the world and delegations led by Qatari businessmen to foreign markets, which contribute to introducing the Qatari market and opening horizons of cooperation with the global markets.
QBA members also discussed many “economic ideas and aspirations” with the minister, which aim to enhance the role of the Qatari private sector and facilitate its work.
A number of initiatives have been agreed upon, most notably the establishment of a follow-up committee between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Qatari Businessmen Association, that will become a direct communication channel to discuss economic initiatives and facilitate joint cooperation in a way that helps in the implementation of the programmes and initiatives undertaken by the Ministry and its proper delivery to the business community.
Sheikh Faisal presented ‘QBA honorary shield’ to al-Kuwari, wishing him success in serving the country.