Private Sector Leaders Highlight IPEC's Role in Enhancing Qatar's Trade with Its Partners

Doha, October 07 (QNA) - A number of businessmen and private sector actors in Qatar highlighted Saturday the importance of the role of the first International Product Exhibition and Conference (IPEC) in promoting trade between Qatar and regional and international countries. The event will highlight the most important investment opportunities and explore ways to overcome the challenges of expanding investments in the region. They said that the exhibition will open up new horizons for diverse businesses in Qatar and allow investors direct access to projects in the country. The exhibition opens on Monday and will last for three days. A large number of politicians, business leaders and government officials from across the Middle East and North Africa will participate in the event. Board member of Qatar Chamber HE Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Thani, who is also a member of the conference's organizing committee, said that the exhibition is a celebration of Qatar's strong relations with its prominent partners from around the world, and expressed hope that it will contribute to enhancing trade ties with participating countries and open new horizons for Qatari investors to enhance their investments in these countries. He stressed that the conference reflects the government's interest in supporting Qatar's trade and economic relations with other countries by exploring new markets for Qatari products and by enhancing the presence of foreign investments in Qatar. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Thani highlighted the importance of the exhibition in contributing to the development of trade and economic development in the world, as the conference's events will focus more on shaping the future of development in the region by presenting ideas and perspectives on various trade and economic matters, in addition to reviewing initiatives made at the national, governmental and commercial levels. He also said that the conference will have a wide range of important global issues, with a greater focus on the challenges facing the region, notably the strategies for managing sustainable economic growth, developing international cooperation among nations, reviewing the future of growth and innovation in airlines and travel trends. One of the topics will focus on the potential of visa-free travel for the world's citizens. Other topics will discuss embracing innovative start-ups in the region, and facilitating the activity of small and medium enterprises. He highlighted the role the exhibition will play in promoting the State of Qatar's tourism sector, as it will provide an opportunity to learn about the tourist places in the country and familiarize the participating countries with the measures taken by the State of Qatar to enhance the tourism sector and increase its contribution to the country's GDP as well as the steps taken by the State to attract more tourists through different activities. Second Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba said that the conference was a blow to the blockade imposed on the country for more than a year, and proof that it has failed in achieving its goals of weakening the country's economy. He stressed that the State of Qatar remains an attractive investment destinations for foreign capital. Al Athba stressed that the Qatari economy was not negatively affected by the blockade, but has gotten more powerful instead. He added that Qatari companies participating in the exhibition will benefit from exchanging expertise with their counterparts in 11 countries participating in the event. He noted that IPEC represents an important platform for enhancing trade exchange between Qatar and these countries, and opens new horizons of cooperation between Qatari business owners and their counterparts in the participating countries. Board member of Qatar Chamber Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly said that IPEC is an international platform involving government officials and private sector representatives from key MENA countries who will discuss the best mechanisms for enhancing trade and economic cooperation for the benefit of Qatar's economy and economies. He added that the exhibition will provide an important opportunity to introduce companies to Qatar's infrastructure development projects in preparation for the 2022 World Cup. He added that it will also be an opportunity for major companies from participating countries to cooperate with their Qatari counterparts by entering into commercial and economic partnerships and alliances that serve both sides. Qatar Chamber board member Ali Abdullatif Al Misnad said that the conference will discuss the promotion of economic cooperation among the participating countries, especially with regard to sustainable economic development, which is one of the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030. He also stressed that the State of Qatar is on the right track to achieve this goal. For his part, Qatar Chamber board member Khalid bin Jabor bin Towar Al Kuwari said that the conference will enhance communication between Qatari companies and the ones participating from abroad, which he said would in turn contribute to increasing trade exchange between Qatar and these countries. He added that the Chamber, in its work on enhancing cooperation between Qatari businessmen and their counterparts from participating countries, is working on promoting the Qatari product through exhibitions it organizes or participates in. He added that the exhibition will help Qatari companies promote their products and enter into commercial deals and cooperation agreements with companies from different countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Al Kuwari stressed that the Chamber is a strong supporter of all the policies of the State regarding opening up the Qatari economy to all countries, and strengthening cooperation between Qatar and the various countries of the world. He pointed out that the exhibition and the conference, which is attended by several companies from 11 countries, is a good opportunity to celebrate strong trade relations with prominent partners from around the world. (QNA)