06-10-2025
The activities of the Qatar–India Joint Business Council, the High-Level Meeting between Qatai and Indian Private Sector Representatives and the Qatar–India Business Meeting were held on Monday, October 6, at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel in Doha.
The events were attended in part by H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al-Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar; H.E. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India; H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs; H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber, and the Ambassador of India to the State of Qatar H.E. Vipul.
The Qatar–India Joint Business Council was presided over by H.E. Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba, Second Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber and Chair of the Qatari side of the Joint Business Council, and H.E. Adeeb Ahmad, Chair of the Middle East Council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce.
Also present at the meetings were several Qatar Chamber board members, members of the Joint Business Council, and a number of Qatari businessmen along with their Indian counterparts.
During the meeting, participants discussed opportunities for cooperation between the Qatari and Indian business sectors across various economic fields, as well as the investment climate and available opportunities for collaboration between companies from both sides.
In his remarks, H.E. Rashid Al Athba said that the Qatari Indian relations have seen considerable development within the past decades, noting that India is a strategic trade partner to Qatar, with a trade volume exceeding QR 48 billion (equivalent to $ 13.2 billion).
He also pointed out that there are many mutual investments covering many vital sectors, in addition to many cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries in all fields.
Al-Athba noted that India is a major destination for Qatari LNG exports, while Qatar imports many Indian products in various sectors such as technology, manufacturing industries, food, pharmaceutical products, and others.
He also explained that investment opportunities between the two countries are wide and diverse, noting that India is one of the largest growing economies worldwide, and is rife with great opportunities in the sectors of infrastructure, advanced technology, renewable energy, manufacturing industries, and agriculture.
He further stressed that Qatar provides an attractive investment environment thanks to its advanced infrastructure, modern economic legislation, and strategic location as a gateway to regional markets.
Al Athba underscored the Council’s vital role as an effective platform for enhancing cooperation between the private sector in the two countries and exploring the establishment of partnerships and joint projects that serve mutual interests and open new horizons for trade and investment cooperation.
The chair of the Qatari side also stressed the Qatar Chamber’s keenness to support the initiatives of Qatari and Indian businessmen, and to overcome any obstacles that may hinder cooperation between them, in a way that contributes to enhancing mutual economic interests and pushes the course of our bilateral relations to broader levels.
For his part, H.E. Adeeb Ahmad, Chair of the Middle East Council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, said that Qatar and India enjoy strong and developed relations, pointing out that Qatar is considered the largest exporter of gas to India, as Qatar’s exports amounted to $6.9 billion during 2024-2025, representing 26% of India’s total gas imports.
He pointed to Qatari investments in India, which are distributed in sectors such as real estate and financial services, noting that there are more than 20,000 Indian small and medium-sized companies operating in Qatar in all sectors.
Adeeb indicated that Qatar’s leadership in the energy sector opens the door to greater cooperation and partnership between the Indian and Qatari business communities. He pointed out that potential areas of collaboration between companies from both sides include energy, food security, healthcare, technology, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and other key sectors.
He stressed that the Qatar–India Business Council serves as an ideal platform for enhancing cooperation between the Qatari and Indian private sectors, expressing his hope that discussions among business leaders will lead to tangible outcomes that benefit the economies of both friendly countries.
For his part, H.E. Mohamed bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi, QC Board Member, affirmed that the Qatari side is keen to establish partnerships and business alliances with Indian companies, particularly in the healthcare sector.
In turn, H.E. Nasser bin Sulaiman Al Haider, QC Board Member, highlighted the strong commercial cooperation between the two nations and emphasised the importance of facilitating the flow of Indian gold and jewellery exports to the Qatari market in a smoother and more efficient manner.
Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, QC Board Member, stressed that Qatari companies are seeking genuine partners and serious collaborations with Indian firms, especially in the fields of technology and artificial intelligence.
