QC Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani (centre), QNB Chief Operating Officer Ali Rashid Al Mohannadi (right) and Saleh Al Mana, Vice President and Director of Government and Public Affairs at ExxonMobil, at the press conference yesterday. Salim Matramkot
BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Qatar Chamber (QC) has begun countdown for the 8th ICC WCF World Chambers Congress here next month.
Preparations are in full swing to host officials from over 12,000 chambers and hundreds of multinational businesses and SMEs from around the world.
The ‘Opportunities for All’-themed event will be one of the largest in the world and is being held for the first time in Qatar and the Middle East, QC Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani told a press conference yesterday.
He said the opening ceremony of the three-day main event will be held under the patronage of the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on April 23.
On its eve, a special day-long ICC Business World Trade Agenda will be organised under the patronage of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani. Top Qatar-based organisations have pledged to advance the agenda, Sheikh Khalifa said.
“The first day will be for local ICC committees and the second day will be dedicated to international boards. “There will be a day-long ICC Business World Trade Agenda Summit on April 22 to revamp the Doha Round (of trade talks). The private sector is expected to support it.
The Media Center at Qatar National Convention Centre will be available to journalists covering the congress. There is no official broadcaster with any exclusive rights. It will be open to all “accredited journalists” like other events held here, he said.
Sheikh Khalifa said that the high-profile list of sponsors featuring a rich mix of industries and stands is a testament to their commitment to accelerate Qatar’s global standing and advance the global business agenda.
“We are proud of the support of Qatar-based organisations in making the 2013 Congress one of the largest in the history of the Chambers Congresses. More than brand positioning or exposure, these organisations understand the value of promoting Qatar on a global platform such as the congress as part of our mutual goal of advancing the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Among the strategic sponsors, the QNB Group and Qatar Airways are the global face of modern Qatar. Qatar Airways and Al Sraiya Holding Group have agreed to help QC bring in delegates from 50 of the least developed countries, in a first-of-its-kind move for the congress.
Other sponsors include: ExxonMobil (Diamond), Commercialbank, Qatar Petroleum, Qatari Diar (Platinum), Barwa Bank, United Development Company, Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co., Milaha and Ginger Camel LCC (Gold), Dubai Chamber, Sydney Chamber and Al Khaliji Bank (Emerald), Creative Action Design and Torino Chamber of Commerce (Sapphire) DHL Express, Oslo Chamber of Commerce, ATA Carnet, KPMG, Silatech, Patton Boggs, CIPE, UN Procurement Service and Macedonian Chamber of Commerce (Silver), BEST, Qatar Financial Centre Authority, Nakilat, Chamber of Commerce of Geneva and Console and Partners (Bronze). MK Sanghi Group has sponsored the World Chambers Competition.
The Ministry of Arts, Heritage and Culture and Mowasalat are official supporter and official transport provider, respectively.
QNB Chief Operating Officer Ali Rashid Al Mohannadi said: “Our presence at the World Chamber Congress comes in support of Qatar’s goals and vision towards organising conferences of global significance.”
In a statement, Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker said he was delighted the national airline was supporting the annual showcase of business chambers from around the world. “This is another great opportunity for Qatar to show the world that we have great facilities in our country to organise large-scale events such as the World Chambers Congress, with thousands of delegates attending.”
Bart Cahir, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc, said in a statement: “ExxonMobil Qatar is honoured to serve as a diamond sponsor of the 8th World Chambers Congress as it is an important initiative that supports the growing business community in Qatar and promotes the country on a global level.”
The Peninsula
