DOHA: The first International Product Exhibition and Conference (IPEC 2018) will open the new horizons of growth for businesses in the country by promoting trade between Qatar and countries across the globe.
The businessmen in Qatar believe that high-profile event will showcase investment opportunities in Qatar and allow investors a direct access to projects in the country.
“Such events are very important platform for encouraging public and private sector in the country. Qatar has created a very robust infrastructure which has played a very important role in defeating blockade imposed on Qatar by siege countries. Had we not created such a strong infrastructure, we probably would have faced problem in imports and exports,” Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Thani, Chairman of Sharaka Holdings and Member of Qatari Businessmen Association told The Peninsula.
Taking place from October 8 to 10 at Doha Exhibition and Conferences Centre (DECC), the event will attract businessmen and entrepreneurs from around the globe.
“Such events will play an important role in diversifying the source of import and exports. This event will attract importers and exporter from across the world. It will help in increasing the number of countries we export to and import from. This exhibition-cum-conference will show the capabilities and strong infrastructure created by Qatar to the world,” Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Thani added.
He said that there was a need of an agency which can support importers and exporters in the country.
“In order to further boost export and imports from Qatar, we need to have a support agency or a regulating body to help exporters and importers. Having such an agency will also show a positive message to the importers and exporter around the world. Having such a local agency would be helpful in supporting exports and imports from Qatar,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Thani.
The event will also have a positive impact on boosting Qatar’s relations with other countries.
“IPEC Qatar will play an important role in strengthening Qatar's relations with other countries. Qatar has strong relations with many countries and there is big scope to boost relations with some countries. This event will provide an opportunity to further strengthen our relations with other countries. Our leadership is very active in boosting relations with countries which is visible in H H the Amir’s visit to several countries. Qatari businessmen should use this platform to enhance their relations and form new partnerships,” Ali Hassan Al Khalaf, a prominent Qatari businessman and Chairman of Qatar Consumers Complex Companies told The Peninsula.
He added that there will be several conferences and talks during the conference which will help in increasing the knowledge of businessmen and entrepreneurs of Qatar. The conference will also be attracting scores of investors and businessmen from across the globe.
“The diverse assemblage of entrepreneurs from different countries will increase the exposure of Qatari businessmen and increase their understanding about doing business. The brainstorming between the entrepreneurs will generate new ideas which will benefit entrepreneurs,” added Ali Hassan Al Khalaf.
He said that the conference would also highlight strength of Qatari economy to the investors. Qatar has created a strong infrastructure including world class airport, ports, roads, special economic zones, he added.
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 Sheikh Hamad bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Thani, who is also a member of the conference’s organising committee, said that the exhibition is a celebration of Qatar’s strong relations with its prominent partners from around the world, QNA reported.
He expressed hope that it would 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.
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. He also said that the conference will discuss 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 Qatar’s tourism sector.
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 is a proof that it has failed in achieving its goals of weakening the country’s economy.
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.
The Board Member of Qatar Chamber, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly, said 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.
Qatar Chamber Board Member Ali Abdullatif Al Misnad said 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.
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 in turn would contribute to increasing trade exchange between Qatar and these countries. He added 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 organises 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 region.
