Construction firm Astad has marked its first step towards the company’s expansion in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region during the Qatar-Saudi Economic Forum held recently in Riyadh. Speaking at the forum, CEO Ali al-Khalifa showcased Astad’s experiences in Qatar with the aim of showcasing the company’s capability to support the achievement of the Saudi National Vision 2030.
In his speech, al-Khalifa said: “Our operations outside of Qatar have launched. The motivation behind this expansion comes from the accumulated experience we have in Qatar.
“We are a fully-integrated project and asset management firm with a portfolio of projects that reflect our teams’ innovation. We believe the experience, knowledge, and excellence that we have built in Qatar over the years will prove to be beneficial to our clients in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.”
Al-Khalifa also pointed out that the event represents the “perfect platform” for Astad to open the door for potential Saudi business relationships amid plans to expand Astad’s services to potential clients in Saudi Arabia and the region. The event was organised by Qatar Chamber and the Council of Saudi Chambers.
The opening ceremony was attended by HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and Engineer Khalid A al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources.
Also attending the event were Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, Al Jouf Chamber of Commerce & Industry chairman Dr Hamdan al-Samarain, dignitaries from Qatar Tourism Authority, the General Authority for Investment in the Kingdom, Astad, and Qatar Development Bank, along with key business owners and corporates.
Astad was also the Silver Sponsor of the ‘2016 Made in Qatar Expo’, which kicked-off yesterday at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Saudi Arabia. The four-day expo is expected to welcome leading Qatari companies along with small and medium-sized enterprises.
At the Astad booth, the company will showcase their portfolio in Qatar and invite Saudi counterparts to discuss potential Qatar-Saudi partnerships.
ICSS’ ‘Save the Dream’ launches Global Pact to promote sport values
Save the Dream, an initiative of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) in partnership with the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and supported by Ooredoo as its technology partners, has launched the Global Pact for Sport to engage and encourage the international business world to promote the practice of sport and its social values within employees, communities and partners.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Qatar Economic Forum – which marks the start of the ‘Made in Qatar’ exhibition – Mohammed Hanzab, ICSS President and Founder of Save the Dream, announced the new Save the Dream Global Pact which aims to develop an international network of businesses who are committed to promoting sport values through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes..
Launched to support Save the Dream’s overall mission promoting and protecting the positive values of sport in young people, companies who become members of the Save the Dream Global Pact will pledge their commitment by signing a Declaration to support and organise sport-related activities and projects for employees, customers and other stakeholders under the banner of Save the Dream and through ongoing CSR programmes.
As a first and significant step, Qatar Chamber one of the oldest Chambers of Commerce in the GCC has also been announced as the inaugural member of the Save the Dream Global Pact and has signed a special declaration stating its commitment supporting Save the Dream and promoting sport values through its network and CSR programmes, which involves companies from across Qatar.
Mohamed Hanzab, President of the International Centre for Sport Security and Founder of Save the Dream, said:”Sport is a powerful tool that strengthens and benefits both business and society. Its ability to empower and inspire is second to none.
“This is why, at Save the Dream, we are committed to finding new and innovative ways to further harness and promote the positive values of sport and this new Global Pact aims to become a powerful platform to help connect business with sport in order to further support Save the Dream activities and inspire young people and communities around the world through sport.”
