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The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) held a series of meetings Tuesday with senior economic officials and leaders of international trade institutions as part of its participation in the World Investment Forum 2026.QBA held the meetings to strengthen international economic cooperation, expand the network of partnerships for the Qatari private sector, and explore new opportunities for joint investment, in support of Qatar's drive toward economic diversification and strengthening the presence of its companies in global markets.Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman of QBA, received Dr Mustafa Nizar Juma al-Ani, Iraq’s Minister of Trade; Dr Amer Bisat, Lebanon’s Minister of Economy and Trade; and Professor Frederick Ma Si-hang, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).**media[509840]**QBA members Sheikh Mansoor bin Jassim al-Thani, Maqbool Habib Khalfan, and Dr Jaafar Ali al-Sarraf, along with QBA general manager Sarah Abdallah, joined them.During the meeting with Dr al-Ani, discussions addressed prospects for developing economic and trade relations between the Qatar and Iraq, and the opportunities available to enhance the participation of Qatari companies in investment and development projects in the Iraqi market.Areas of cooperation discussed during the meeting included, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, food security and logistics sectors, alongside the importance of strengthening direct communication between businessmen in both countries and facilitating the exchange of information on investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks and available incentives.QBA affirmed that the private sector’s interest in exploring investment opportunities in Iraq, particularly projects based on long-term partnerships that achieve mutual economic interests, stressing the importance of providing appropriate guarantees and a stable investment environment that encourages investors to enter into productive and development projects.In its meeting with Dr Bisat, QBA members discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Qatari and Lebanese business communities, as well as opportunities to develop mutual investments and establish partnerships in sectors of common interest.**media[509839]**The meeting addressed the important role the private sector can play in supporting economic activity and encouraging investment, alongside opportunities for cooperation in services, technology, food industries, tourism, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).QBA stressed the importance of leveraging the economic relations between the two countries and the expertise of the Lebanese business community to develop joint projects that benefit from the investment potential of the Qatari market and the opportunities available in Lebanon and regional markets.The meeting also emphasised the importance of enhancing communication between investors and companies in both countries, along with identifying practical opportunities that can be studied and implemented.QBA discussed with Prof Si-hang the prospects for trade and investment cooperation between the Qatari private sector and the Hong Kong business community, and the potential to benefit from Hong Kong's position as an international hub for business, financial services and trade.The meeting addressed opportunities to develop partnerships in the financial services, technology, innovation, trade and logistics sectors, alongside encouraging mutual investments and connecting Qatari companies with Asian markets, particularly the Chinese market.QBA highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation with the HKTDC, enabling the exchange of information on investment opportunities, the organisation of direct business-to-business meetings, and the exploration of areas for joint investment.QBA members also mentioned the strengths of Qatar, including its advanced infrastructure, attractive investment environment, and strategic location, which position it as a hub for Asian companies seeking to expand their business in the Gulf region and regional markets.Sheikh Faisal affirmed that QBA’s participation in the World Investment Forum reflects the Qatari private sector’s willingness to expand its international economic relations and build sustainable partnerships with Arab, Asian, and global markets.He stressed that the next phase requires moving from exchanging views and understandings to identifying clear investment opportunities, strengthening direct communication between investors, and developing joint projects that contribute to the transfer of technology and expertise and the creation of added economic value.Sheikh Faisal also noted that the international meetings provided by the forum represent an important opportunity to introduce international partners to the potential of the Qatari economy, while at the same time opening new horizons for Qatari companies to expand into foreign markets, thereby strengthening the role of the private sector as a key partner in investment and sustainable economic development.

 Qatar Chamber discussed enhancing economic cooperation with Sri Lanka, as well as investment opportunities available to the private sectors of both countries and ways to enhance communication between business communities.This came in a meeting held by First Vice Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari, with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Employment of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Arun Hemachandra.The two sides reviewed investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, particularly in the agricultural sector, as well as potential cooperation in other sectors of mutual interest.In this context, Al Kuwari stressed the importance of strengthening economic and trade relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka, noting Qatar Chamber's commitment to promoting communication between the private sectors of both countries and familiarizing Qatari businesspeople with available investment opportunities.In turn, Hemachandra invited Qatar Chamber and Qatari businesspeople to visit Sri Lanka to explore investment opportunities, learn more about the business environment and the advantages offered by the Sri Lankan economy to investors. He also invited them to participate in 'Sri Lanka Expo 2027,' scheduled to be held in January 2027. 

Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar are being positioned as “living bridges” for deeper economic cooperation, according to an embassy official who underscored their role in turning investment pledges into reality.“There are more than 20,000 Indian-owned or Indian-managed companies. They are the real living bridges that can help turn these objectives into realities,” charge d’affaires Sandeep Kumar’s speech emphasised at the recently held India Utsav 2026 celebrations organised by LuLu Hypermarket in Al Gharrafa.These firms, many of them embedded in Qatar’s private sector, are expected to channel the $10bn investment commitment announced by Doha into projects that align with India’s long-term growth agenda, Kumar noted.“Qatar has indicated that it will be investing about $10bn in India. This signals significant opportunities and a positive momentum towards achieving mutual goals. To realise this investment effectively, collaboration from both sides will be essential,” Kumar emphasised.According to Kumar, the emphasis on SMEs comes at a time when India is pursuing its “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision to become a developed economy by its centenary of independence. He pointed out that the presence of Indian companies in Qatar provides a practical mechanism to translate high level declarations into ground level business activity.Kumar announced that India’s demographic dividend, with 65% of its population under the age of 35, and the growing participation of women in the economy, are among the nation’s drivers of resilience and innovation.He also revealed that India’s digital infrastructure now accounts for more than half of global digital transactions, underscoring the scale of its technology adoption.“We have developed one of the largest digital infrastructures in the world. I am very happy and proud to share that more than 50% of all global digital transactions take place in India,” Kumar explained, pointing to responsible deployment of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging technologies as areas where India and Qatar can collaborate.Kumar said, “India has embarked upon embracing new and emerging technologies. The ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026’ is just one example of that. And we have been embracing these technologies not just in words, but in spirit. Our goal now is to promote the responsible use of emerging technologies, particularly AI, blockchain, and other similar innovations.”On Qatar’s diversification drive under its 2030 national vision, Kumar described this as closely resonant with India’s development goals. He stressed that both sides are exploring cooperation in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, logistics, food security, and infrastructure.Kumar noted that high level visits have already elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with trade valued at around $14bn. Energy exports from Qatar dominate the basket, but both countries have agreed to double the volume by 2030, he said.India’s exports to Qatar, worth about $1.7bn, include auto components, foodstuff, and jewellery, according to Kumar, who pointed out that diversification is essential to rebalance the trade relationship.He also highlighted recent ministerial exchanges, including visits by India’s commerce, culture, and energy officials, as evidence of momentum in India’s longstanding partnership with Qatar.Kumar stressed that the alignment of Qatar National Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047, India's long-term national roadmap to transform the country into a fully developed, self-reliant nation, provides a framework for cooperation that extends beyond energy, creating opportunities in technology, manufacturing, and sustainability.

The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) held a meeting Wednesday in Doha with Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to explore economic cooperation opportunities with the South Asian country.During the meeting, Sharif expressed his keenness to develop bilateral cooperation to new horizons, highlighting the historical ties between the two countries, which reflect the strength and solidity of Qatar–Pakistan relations.The meeting was attended by QBA board members Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani and Saud al-Manna, along with QBA members Sheikh Mansour bin Jassim al-Thani, Khalid al-Mannai, and Ashraf Abu Issa, as well as QBA general manager Sarah Abdallah.Sharif also highlighted the advantages of Pakistan’s business environment, describing it as highly attractive to investment, particularly in the sectors of energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and industry. He invited Qatari businessmen to visit Pakistan and affirmed his country’s full support through its various ministries to facilitate cooperation and present all potential investment opportunities.The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan’s economy is recovering as a result of economic reforms aimed at facilitating foreign investment. He encouraged QBA members to invest in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, technology, and manufacturing.For his part, Sheikh Nawaf emphasised the strong historical relations between the two countries and the existing economic cooperation across various sectors. He also affirmed QBA’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation and explore joint business opportunities, including partnerships and coordination with counterparts in the business community, in a manner that contributes to expanding economic and investment cooperation between the two sides.Sheikh Nawaf also spoke about the possibility of studying potential investment opportunities and projects, whether in Pakistan, Qatar, or in third markets, noting that Pakistan serves as a gateway to surrounding markets, which Qatar could leverage to expand its regional reach.Pakistan and Qatar maintain close relations across multiple sectors, including energy. Qatar is a major supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan, while Pakistan exports agricultural products to Doha. 

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework and affirmed mutual desire to strengthen trade and investment relations to serve their common interests.In a joint statement released today, the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif agreed during their meeting held in Riyadh yesterday (Monday) to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework between the two countries.As part of the framework, the statement said, several strategic and high-impact projects will be discussed in the economic, trade, investment, and development fields that will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two governments, enhancing the pivotal role of the private sector, and increasing trade exchange between the two countries.Priority sectors include energy, industry, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture, and food security.Both sides are currently studying several joint economic projects, including signing a memorandum of understanding for the electricity interconnection project between the Kingdom and Pakistan, in addition to signing a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of energy between the two nations.This framework reaffirms the two countries' shared vision toward building a sustainable partnership across various economic, trade, and investment fields.

The summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will take place, but will likely be postponed to a later date, said Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Russian president's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries.In an interview with CNN, Dmitriev, who is visiting the US, said that the meeting between Putin and Trump had not been canceled, as the US president described it, and that the two leaders will likely meet at a later date."I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution," the Russian envoy said.Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that he would meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Hungary to try to end the war in Ukraine, before later announcing the cancellation of the summit.

The State of Qatar participated in the 124th meeting of the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of the GCC countries, held in the capital of the State of Kuwait. His Excellency Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari led the State of Qatar's delegation participating in the meeting. During the meeting, approval was granted for the outcomes of the 85th meeting of the Committee of Central Bank Governors, the outcomes of the meetings of the Customs Union Authority, and the 15th meeting of the Committee of Tax Administrations. In addition, discussions were held regarding the development of a comprehensive electronic system to serve all types of indirect taxes. The meeting also addressed the latest developments in the negotiations of free trade agreements between the GCC countries and other nations and international blocs, as well as the programme for achieving economic unity among GCC member states by the year 2025. This was alongside a number of topics of mutual interest to the GCC states aimed at achieving economic integration and enhancing innovation and economic resilience in the face of common challenges.