
USQBC Doha, IFC, and Golden Gate Ventures host strategic forum on private sector growth
The event supported Qatar's Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), underscoring the country's commitment to economic diversification and global collaboration.
The half-day program brought together key stakeholders for high-level panels and interactive roundtables focused on early-stage venture formation, capital strategy, ecosystem development, and scaling strategies. Designed to foster peer exchange and practical insight, the event offered actionable takeaways for startups, investors, and ecosystem enablers across Qatar and the MENA region.
Aligned with the strategic objectives of NDS3, the forum emphasized economic diversification, entrepreneurial growth, knowledge-based industries, and priority economic clusters, including a digital economy.
It also reinforced USQBC Doha's role in advancing Qatar's economic transformation by empowering private sector growth and activating international partnerships. Through their deep expertise and ecosystem networks, IFC and Golden Gate Ventures are working to support Qatar's future as a hub of innovation by fostering connections that will drive impactful investment and long-term development.
Speaking at the event, Sheikha Mayes Al Thani, USQBC Doha managing director, commented: 'This forum reflects our commitment to enabling global-private sector dialogue that drives sustainable growth. By convening capital, capability, and innovation, we're proud to support Qatar's journey toward a resilient and diversified economy.'
Echoing this sentiment, Michael Lints, Partner, Golden Gate Ventures, stated: 'We are excited that the forum brings together international and regional top-tier investors and founders to Qatar. The venture capital sector plays a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship, driving technological advancements, and contributing to long-term growth.'
Kareem Aziz, MENA Regional Lead for Venture Capital, IFC, added: 'Our partnership with Qatar is a longstanding one. We've supported Qatari companies in expanding beyond their local market. We now hope to bring the same value to the country's growing venture capital and entrepreneurship ecosystem.'
USQBC Doha serves as the Council's dedicated in-market platform, focused on advancing private sector growth, cross-border collaboration, and strategic investment. As a trusted partner to business and policy stakeholders, USQBC Doha translates shared priorities into tangible outcomes through high-level convening, market intelligence, policy alignment, and strategic facilitation. By supporting the development of a competitive, innovation-driven private sector, the Doha office plays a central role in fostering sustainable economic progress and unlocking new opportunities.
---
Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
Instagram - @qatarliving
X - @qatarliving
Facebook - Qatar Living
YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pete Hegseth's Secret Deal to Get Trump His Free Qatari Jet Is Leaked
The U.S. has formally received Qatar's 'unconditional donation' of a $400 million 747-8 Boeing jet for the Trump administration to use as Air Force One. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Qatari counterpart earlier this month signed a memorandum of understanding which also allows Trump to use the plane once he leaves office, ABC News reported Monday. That document describes the plane as a 'bona fide gift' to the Defense Department, with the U.S. paying nothing for it. 'This donation is made in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation and mutual support between the parties,' it states. 'Nothing in this [memorandum of understanding] is, or shall be interpreted or construed as, an offer, promise, or acceptance of any form of bribery, undue influence, or corrupt practice.' The memo adds that the plane is 'not connected or otherwise related to any governmental decision and, as such, is not made, offered, promised or accepted because of any past, present or future official act or decision and is not intended to obtain or retain any improper advantage or to influence any official decision.' The White House did not immediately respond to an inquiry from the Daily Beast. The Defense Department declined to comment. When the 'gift'–which was previously used by the Qatari royal family–was first announced in May, lawmakers, commentators on the right and left, and Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence, were critical. Some questioned whether the arrangement was really 'free' given Trump's transactional approach to the presidency. The cost of renovations was also a point of concern, given how aviation experts estimated a minimum price tag of $1 billion. The Defense Department recently transferred nearly that much for a classified projected, The New York Times reported Sunday. Air Force officials told the outlet that some of the money would be spent on renovating the aircraft that has been called a 'flying palace.' After Trump leaves office, ownership of the plane will transfer to the Trump presidential library foundation, Hegseth confirmed during a June Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. But that didn't sit well with some lawmakers. 'Why would we ask the American taxpayer to spend upwards of $1 billion on a plane that would then only be used for a handful of months and then transfer directly to the president?' Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy asked. 'That doesn't sound like a wise use of taxpayer dollars.'

a day ago
The Taliban are sending workers to Qatar to ease unemployment in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD -- The Taliban are exporting Afghan workers to fill jobs in the Gulf nation of Qatar to ease unemployment in Afghanistan, and say talks are underway to send labor to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, and Russia. Registration opened Tuesday for 2,000 skilled professionals in areas including hospitality, food and beverage, and engineering to go to Qatar under the new program. Applicants from all 34 Afghan provinces can submit their work experience and credentials before being assessed for eligibility. The registration launch follows the forced returns of at least a million Afghans from neighboring countries, notably Iran and Pakistan, at a time of significant economic and humanitarian difficulty. Aid agencies have warned of pressure on local services, as well as dramatically reduced flows of money flowing into the country in the form of remittances from people working abroad. Acting Labor Minister Abdul Manan Omari described the labor export program as a 'significant and foundational step.' He said talks also were under way with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, and Russia. "We are committed to sending skilled, semi-skilled, and professional workers to these countries in the future as well," Omari said Monday on the social platform X. 'We are committed to the protection of Afghan workers' legal rights and safety abroad. Our goal is to prevent illegal migration and uphold the dignity and honor of Afghan workers," Omari said. While only Russia has recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan, the other countries have diplomatic relations with Kabul. Qatar, which hosts a major U.S. military base in the region, served as a crucial point for those fleeing the Taliban in the chaotic days of the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in 2021. It also hosts a diplomatic post for the Taliban and hosted peace talks in 2019-20 between them and the U.S. administration of then-President Donald Trump. Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's deputy prime minister for economic affairs, said the Qatar labor initiative would help to ease unemployment and help the economy — presumably through remittances. Most Afghans depend on humanitarian assistance to survive. But deep funding cuts are worsening the situation, with aid agencies and nongovernmental organizations scaling back education and health care programs. 'The legal process of sending skilled and professional Afghan workers abroad will positively impact the national economy and help reduce unemployment,' Baradar said at the program's launch on Monday. He said the government had been working for four years to lower the unemployment rate through foreign and domestic investment, expanded trade relations, and infrastructure projects. In 2023, the Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar, Al Jazeera English reported. It was the first such publicly known meeting between Akhundzada and a foreign official.

Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
The Taliban are sending Afghan workers to Qatar to ease unemployment in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban are exporting Afghan workers to fill jobs in the Gulf nation of Qatar to ease unemployment in Afghanistan, and say talks are underway to send labor to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, and Russia. Registration opened Tuesday for 2,000 skilled professionals in areas including hospitality, food and beverage, and engineering to go to Qatar under the new program. Applicants from all 34 Afghan provinces can submit their work experience and credentials before being assessed for eligibility. The registration launch follows the forced returns of at least a million Afghans from neighboring countries, notably Iran and Pakistan, at a time of significant economic and humanitarian difficulty. Aid agencies have warned of pressure on local services, as well as dramatically reduced flows of money flowing into the country in the form of remittances from people working abroad. Acting Labor Minister Abdul Manan Omari described the labor export program as a 'significant and foundational step.' He said talks also were under way with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Turkey, and Russia. 'We are committed to sending skilled, semi-skilled, and professional workers to these countries in the future as well,' Omari said Monday on the social platform X. 'We are committed to the protection of Afghan workers' legal rights and safety abroad. Our goal is to prevent illegal migration and uphold the dignity and honor of Afghan workers,' Omari said. While only Russia has recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan, the other countries have diplomatic relations with Kabul. Qatar, which hosts a major U.S. military base in the region, served as a crucial point for those fleeing the Taliban in the chaotic days of the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in 2021. It also hosts a diplomatic post for the Taliban and hosted peace talks in 2019-20 between them and the U.S. administration of then-President Donald Trump. Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's deputy prime minister for economic affairs, said the Qatar labor initiative would help to ease unemployment and help the economy — presumably through remittances. Most Afghans depend on humanitarian assistance to survive. But deep funding cuts are worsening the situation, with aid agencies and nongovernmental organizations scaling back education and health care programs. 'The legal process of sending skilled and professional Afghan workers abroad will positively impact the national economy and help reduce unemployment,' Baradar said at the program's launch on Monday. He said the government had been working for four years to lower the unemployment rate through foreign and domestic investment, expanded trade relations, and infrastructure projects. In 2023, the Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar, Al Jazeera English reported. It was the first such publicly known meeting between Akhundzada and a foreign official.