9 January 2017
- Qatari SMEs to play a significant role to improve competitiveness both locally and globally
“As part of Qatar Chambers continuous mission to empower SMEs, we are planning to host the 2nd SME conference in Doha, once again with the aim to promote entrepreneurship, to stimulate services for SMEs, to support diversification and to create employment opportunities for the national work force” announced Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber and ICC Qatar.
Under the patronage and in attendance of H.E Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, The Prime Minister and Minister Interior, the 2nd Qatar Chamber SMEs Conference is jointly organized by Qatar Chamber, ICC Qatar and The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). The event is sponsored by QNB, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Doha Bank as well as NBK and Expo Turkey by Qatar.
The main aim of the conference is to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge they need by linking them with relevant organizations.
Commenting on the event, Assistant General Manager (AGM), SME Banking, QNB, Khalid Al-Naemi, said: ‘’ QNB is always proud to be part of such important events that have a special significance to the banking sector in general and the economy of Qatar in particular.’’ SME’s growth follows a strong upward trend and we will continue to support them with all the resources and expertise we have, as we believe the SMEs will continue to be a key driver of the economic growth’’, he added.
Executive Director of Business Finance, QDB, Khalid Abdulla al-Mana said: “The strong partnership between Qatar Development Bank and Qatar Chamber – two proudly local organizations – aimed at promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is precisely the type of corporate engineering that will result in the achievement of our strategic national development plan, Qatar National Vision 2030. Through this SME conference, our joint organizational focus is to inculcate a culture of creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and innovativeness across the nation through providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs so that we may play our respective organizational roles in creating a well-diversified, knowledge-based economy in Qatar.”
Dr. R. Seetharaman, Doha Bank CEO said, “SMEs are the backbone for every economy and contribute significantly to the workforce and sustainable development. Qatar Chamber’s 2nd SME Conference will provide an excellent platform to promote connectivity among entrepreneurs and investors in Qatar and Turkey and thereby improve bilateral relationships between both countries. SMEs integration with global value chains will improve their prospects and thereby provide more opportunities for growth.”
The conference will be country focused on Turkey, one of the world’s newly industrialized countries, an emerging global market, and among the world’s leading producers of agricultural products, textiles, transportation equipment and construction materials.
“We believe this conference represents an opportunity to share best practice and to enable local SMEs to compete for the business opportunities Qatar has to offer by connecting them with key stakeholders” noted Mr Saleh Shargi, Director General of Qatar Chamber.
HE M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President of TOBB, will join the event with a delegation of 150 Turkish business leaders.
“Turkey and Qatar have great potential to boost their trade exchange in line with the existing strong relations and determined leadership between the two esteemed countries, we believe that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the centerpiece of future businesses in this region. They are the key in making the connection between facilitating trade and making growth inclusive” explained H.E M.Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President of TOBB.
Inspired by the development agenda of Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar Chamber’s 2nd SME conference aims to contribute to the collective efforts of the Government and key organizations to boost an effective private sector able to play a central role in the development of the national economy.
