Latest news with #QatariBusinessmenAssociation
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QBA, CMU-Q sign MoU to boost education, research
Satyendra Pathak Doha In a major step toward fostering a knowledge-driven economy and advancing Qatar's National Vision 2030, the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) have signed a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will deepen cooperation in the fields of education, scientific research, entrepreneurship, and community development. Held in Doha, the press briefing accompanying the signing ceremony emphasised the broad and strategic nature of the agreement, which aims to link academic excellence with real-world economic impact through initiatives in training, internships, public policy research, business innovation, SME support, and digital transformation. Addressing the media, QBA Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani reiterated QBA's unwavering commitment to supporting the nation's talent pipeline and fostering collaboration between the business and academic sectors. Sheikh Faisal said, 'Through this partnership with Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, we aim to strengthen research and innovation in alignment with the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030. This collaboration will serve to enhance the private sector's productivity and competitiveness by integrating research-based solutions.' He also stressed the role of educational institutions in nurturing globally competitive talent, adding that strategic partnerships like this are instrumental in bridging the gap between academic theory and economic practice. 'This MoU helps us move beyond dialogue to action. It's about creating pathways for students to engage with our member companies and for our companies to benefit from the latest research and thinking coming out of CMU-Q,' Sheikh Faisal said. Dean of CMU-Q Michael Trick underscored the multifaceted goals of the MoU, highlighting its emphasis on entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and the importance of building direct industry-academic bridges. 'We are planning to focus significantly on entrepreneurship, especially as Qatar becomes more welcoming to startups. The Qatari Businessmen Association's support is essential to making these companies more visible and viable,' Trick said. He noted that while CMU-Q is best known for its programmes in business, information systems, and computer science, it is the synergy between technology and entrepreneurship that will drive Qatar's private sector forward. 'It's not just the business programme. The entrepreneurial aspects of our Information Systems and Computer Science programmes are very strong,' he added. 'This is where the QBA can have a broader impact—not just on our business students, but across disciplines.' The collaboration will also focus on supporting Qatar's small and medium enterprises (SMEs), aligning with national goals to digitise the economy and increase the competitiveness of the local business ecosystem. 'Our Information Systems programme is well positioned to work with organisations at all levels, particularly SMEs,' Trick stated. 'The potential for impact here is enormous.' The agreement outlines internships, guest lectures, and student mentoring as key components, but Trick emphasised that the relationship with QBA goes beyond just job placements. 'We don't need an MoU just for internships,' he noted. 'What we seek is a broader engagement—one where QBA members interact with our students, mentor them, and importantly, hire them. This is how we ensure our graduates have a direct impact on Qatar's economy.' When asked about graduate retention, Trick proudly shared that 93 percent of CMU-Q students who enter the job market stay in Qatar for their first job—a strong testament to the university's alignment with national development goals. According to statements shared during the press briefing, the MoU also envisions collaboration on publishing joint economic reports, organising business development workshops, and holding industry-specific conferences that will elevate private-sector awareness and driveinnovation. A representative from QBA noted that this academic-business collaboration 'will not only raise awareness among business leaders but will also promote strategic thinking and innovation, hand-in-hand with academia.' CMU-Q's student body is composed of both local and international students, many of whom choose to remain and contribute to Qatar's economy after graduation. 'Roughly 20 percent of our students come from outside the country, but thanks to the Qatar Foundation's support and the welcoming environment, many choose to stay,' Trick said. 'We're proud to say that we are not just educating Qatar's youth—we are attracting the world's best and integrating them into the future of this country.'
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar, London eye deeper investment relations as lord mayor visits Doha
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) hosted Lord Alastair King, Lord Mayor of the City of London, and his accompanying delegation for a luncheon held on the sidelines of his visit to Doha. The event was attended by His Excellency Neerav Patel, the British Ambassador to the State of Qatar, and was welcomed by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, QBA Chairman. Also the luncheon was attended by Sheikh Nawaf Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, QBA Board member, along with QBA members: Khalid Al Mannai, Sheikh Mansour bin Jassim Al Thani, Nabil Abu Issa, Youssef Jassim Al Darwish, Sheikh Turki bin Faisal, Faisal Al Mana, Abdulrahman Al Darwish, Youssef Al Mahmoud, Mohammed Althaf, and Sarah Abdallah, QBA Deputy General Manager. Lord Alastair King praised the visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, to the United Kingdom last December, describing it as a celebration of the strong commercial, financial, and cultural ties between the two nations. Lord King emphasized that the United Kingdom views Qatar as a key investment partner and expressed gratitude for Qatar's trust, as demonstrated through its substantial investments across various British institutions and businesses. He noted that these investments extend beyond London to several parts of the UK, including South East England, where numerous investment opportunities are available. During the meeting, Lord King discussed a new joint initiative — the Mansion House Accord — launched by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), the Association of British Insurers (ABI), and the City of London Corporation. The initiative involves commitment by 17 pension schemes and providers to allocate at least 10% of default Defined Contribution (DC) funds to private markets, with no less than half of these investments directed toward UK assets by 2030. According to the UK Treasury, the agreement is expected to mobilize over £50 billion in the next five years, including £25 billion for UK-based investments. He also highlighted efforts to encourage UK businesses to explore and expand into new markets like Qatar, stressing Britain's expertise in sustainable finance and project financing. He expressed interest in engaging Qatari investors in some of the UK's cutting-edge technological sectors. He added, 'London and Doha share a very close relationship. Several Qatari banks and institutions operate actively in London, engaging in significant business activities. It's equally promising to see British banks well represented in Qatar, while Qatari capital is also being invested in other British financial institutions, some of which are present in Qatar and attracting British investments.' He also touched on the UK's trade relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stating that projections suggest bilateral trade will grow by 16%, reaching nearly £57 billion. He emphasized the exceptional opportunities that exist between the UK and Qatar. 'There are many investments coming from Qatar related to green finance — an area where the UK considers itself a market leader,' he said. 'We currently manage £91 billion in green investment funds, and Qatar is participating in these funds.' Lord Alastair King invited members of the Qatari Businessmen Association to visit London to explore a wide range of investment opportunities across various sectors, assuring them that he would facilitate all investment-related processes for the Qatari business community within the City of London. For his part, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, described London as a preferred investment destination for Qatari businessmen. He emphasized the historic and exceptional bilateral relationship between Doha and London, which has seen significant growth in economic and commercial ties in recent years. He confirmed that QBA members have diversified investments in the UK across sectors such as tourism, retail, construction, education, healthcare, and other productive industries. Neerav Patel, praised the strong and fruitful relationship between the UK Embassy and the QBA. He emphasized the UK's commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across all sectors, which he described as having reached their highest levels.
Qatar Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatari Businessmen Association signs 3 MoUs with HK entities
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatari Businessmen Association welcomed John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and his accompanying delegation during a private roundtable, on the sideline of their visit to the country. During the meeting, 3 MOUs were signed between QBA and various economic and investment organizations in Hong Kong. From the Qatari Businessmen Association, the meeting was attended bySheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, QBA Chairman, along with QBA board members Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, Sheikh Nawaf Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, andSaud Al Mana. Also from QBA membersOmar Al Fardan,Khalid Al Mannai, Salah Al Jaidah, Sheikh Mansour bin Jassim Al Thani,Nabil Abu Issa,Abdulsalam Abu Issa, Abdullah Al Kubaisi, Youssef Al Mahmoud, andHakan Ozedmir, In addition to Rashid Al Mansoori, CEO of Aamal Company, as well as Sarah Abdallah, QBA Deputy General Manager. At the beginning of the meeting,John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, stated that Qatar's economy is strong and considered the best in the Gulf in terms of growth, saying that he regarded Doha as a prominent commercial and financial hub for business in the Middle East and that Hong Kong is similarly a major business center in Asia, equipped with numerous offices to help companies and investors benefit from the opportunities available. Vital Sectors During his note,John Lee invited members of the Qatari Businessmen Association to visit his country, pointing out that Hong Kong companies are looking to invest in vital sectors in Qatar, including infrastructure, information technology, fintech, and health and biotech technologies. He also added that Hong Kong is home to a large number of successful entrepreneurs in these sectors. Lee expressed his desire to strengthen economic and financial cooperation between the two sides and to develop it to meet mutual aspirations. He affirmed that Hong Kong aims to become the world's number one hub for family offices by 2027. For his part,Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, welcomed the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and said that Qatari companies have, in recent years, grown into major players in various sectors and have proven their capabilities through the successful implementation of mega projects—both domestically, as seen in the successful hosting of the Qatar World Cup 2022, and internationally through participation in numerous projects across different continents. Joint Cooperation Sheikh Faisal noted that QBA members are aware of the significant potential offered by Hong Kong's economy in the fields of services and tourism, as well as its openness to the world's largest markets, including China—one of Qatar's biggest trading partners. He also emphasized that QBA's members have diverse investments across various continents and sectors including tourism, finance, agriculture, and retail—and are willing to explore investment opportunities with Hong Kong's business community and major companies and work together in both countries. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, QBA board member, pointed out that Qatar, through its 2025–2030 national strategy, is shifting toward a knowledge-based economy that aligns with Hong Kong's key sectors like financial services, artificial intelligence, logistics, and tourism. This, he said, creates diverse opportunities for bilateral cooperation, especially with the significant tax and legislative incentives Qatar offers to foreign investors. He noted that QBA will work with the entities with which the MoUs were signed to identify specific economic sectors for joint efforts between the Qatari Businessmen Association and its Hong Kong counterparts, in a way that strengthens trade and economic ties, adding that QBA is ready to visit Hong Kong to explore available investment opportunities. Family Offices Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani, QBA Board member, stated that Hong Kong has a special program aimed at attracting family-owned businesses, especially from Gulf countries. He mentioned in his intervention that Hong Kong is also working on easing capital investment entry requirements to support its efforts in attracting family offices and strengthening its position as a global wealth hub. He inquired about the features of this program and whether it has succeeded in attracting Gulf-based family businesses in recent times. Christopher Hui, Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and Treasury, said there are more than 2,700 family offices in Hong Kong, including 200 large ones recently established. He added that the country is encouraging these measures to attract more investors. 'This step could be added to the tax exemption system for family offices, thereby boosting the development of the family office sector in Hong Kong,' he said. He also noted that the Hong Kong government offers residency to individuals who invest 30 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $3.9 million). This represents the city's latest step in attracting wealth. Memorandums of Understanding In the presence of John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, the Qatari Businessmen Association announced and exchanged three Memorandums of Understanding and agreements with 'Invest Hong Kong,' the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council, and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong. These MoUs aim to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two sides and facilitate investment processes in both directions. The meeting also reviewed prospects for bilateral cooperation between Qatar and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China in fields such as communications and information technology. Discussions included ways to strengthen partnerships in digital innovation, emerging technologies, and the exchange of expertise in developing digital infrastructure and smart government services. The meeting also covered opportunities to benefit from the pioneering experiences of Qatar and Hong Kong in areas like smart cities and digital governance. It explored potential collaborations between digital startups and government and private institutions in both countries to support future partnerships that enhance the digital economy and accelerate digital innovation.
Zawya
05-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: QBA seeks investment opportunities with German companies
DOHA: The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) hosted a German economic delegation led by H E Dr. Jörg Kukies, the German Minister of Finance, accompanied by senior representatives from major German companies in the energy and financial sectors. The meeting aimed to strengthen economic and trade relations between Qatar and Germany and to explore cooperation opportunities in priority sectors, including finance, advanced industries, technology, innovation, digital transformation, renewable energy, logistics, trade, and investment. From QBA, the meeting was attended by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, QBA Chairman, along with QBA board members Sherida Al Kaabi and Saud Al Mana. Other attendees included QBA members Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Thani, Omar Hussain Alfardan, Khalid Al Mannai, Youssef Jassem Darwish, Maqbool Habib Khalfan, Abdul Rahman Darwish, Youssef Al Mahmoud, Dr. Mohamed Althaf, and Hakan Ozdemir, in addition to Sarah Abdullah, Deputy General Manager. From the German side, the meeting was attended by H E Heiko Thomas, State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, H E Lothar Freischlader, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Qatar, and representatives from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Qatar. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Jörg Kukies highlighted the productive meetings he had with Qatar's Minister of Finance and Minister of Energy, praising the significant economic development Qatar has experienced over the past decade. He noted Qatar's substantial investments in infrastructure and its readiness to diversify its economy. Dr. Kukies emphasised the importance of economic cooperation between the two countries, stating that Qatari investments in Germany are crucial for economic growth and job creation. Dr. Kukies pointed out that Germany is the largest economy in Europe and serves as a gateway to approximately 450 million consumers. He also highlighted Germany's upcoming program to coordinate between major German companies and banks to establish a strong financial center to promote Germany and support startups, with the government aiming to invest around 12 billion euros in these companies by 2030. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani welcomed the delegation and said that trade and investment relations between Qatar and Germany are witnessing rapid growth, driven by a shared vision to enhance economic and trade cooperation and create new partnership opportunities between the business communities of both countries. He further commented that Qatar's third strategy clearly aims at the transition to a digital economy and attract cumulative foreign investments in various fields, reaching up to $100bn by 2030. This can be discussed with German companies that own giant enterprises in various fields. Sheikh Faisal in his note, welcomed German companies to Qatar, stating that the country is prepared and open to receiving German investments, whether independently or in partnership with Qatari businessmen. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
