Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, H E Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani
Doha, Qatar: Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, H E Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, has said that the Web Summit is considered a global gathering that brings together thousands of stakeholders in the technology field, including leaders, entrepreneurs, startups, and investors from around the world under one roof. It provides an ideal platform to showcase their ideas and projects and build relationships and partnerships.
In an interview with QNA, he said the Web Summit is one of the largest annual events specialised in technology globally, providing innovators and startups with an opportunity to obtain funding that helps them launch or expand their businesses.
He said the summit’s events over the years have attracted more than a million participants.
He pointed out that Qatar is hosting the summit for five years until 2028, reflecting confidence in the country’s capabilities to host major global events. Qatar is the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host this event.
He explained that the goals of the Web Summit align perfectly with the country’s priorities and represent a significant contribution to achieving Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by enhancing efforts to diversify the national economy.
It also supports the country’s focus on the technology sector as a key pillar for building a knowledge-based economy and contributes to achieving the goals of the Third National Development Strategy, aiming for sustainable economic growth, building an advanced digital economy with a strong infrastructure that supports advanced businesses and stimulates innovation, benefiting from sustainable digital investments.
He also noted that hosting the Web Summit helps enhance Qatar’s position as a major hub for technology and innovation in the region. The summit attracts the attention of global technology industry leaders and stakeholders to Qatar, offering the opportunity to explore the country’s advanced infrastructure, investment-friendly regulatory system, strong and resilient economy, high-quality living standards, and access to local and global talents.
On the subject of knowledge exchange and enhancing the capabilities of local talents, the Director of the Government Communications Office confirmed that the summit contributes to achieving the Third National Development Strategy, which aims to build a workforce ready for the future. The summit provides an opportunity for startups and innovators from the national talents to build relationships, gain experience, and network with leading global institutions while staying informed about the latest technological developments. This opens the door wide for knowledge transfer, localizing various types of advanced technologies, and stimulating the innovation environment in Qatar.
Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani emphasised that the Web Summit contributes to achieving Qatar’s National Vision by supporting digital transformation, enhancing innovation, attracting investments, empowering startups and Qatari youth, and shaping the future of Qatars digital economy, thus contributing to efforts to diversify the national economy and build a knowledge-based economy.
He further highlighted that local companies will have the opportunity to showcase their innovative projects and ideas to investors, accelerating the growth of national startups and enhancing their businesses and expansion in the region and globally.
The summit will help accelerate the growth of new sectors in the country, especially artificial intelligence and other technology-related fields, providing new jobs, training specialized personnel, and contributing to diversifying revenue streams, thus enhancing economic sustainability in the country.
The GCO Director emphasised that startups are among the primary beneficiaries of the Web Summit.
He noted that startups will have the chance to access the latest research, studies, and best practices in technology fields like artificial intelligence, fintech, cloud computing, and e-commerce. This will allow them to stay ahead of global developments and upgrade their products to meet international standards.
He also pointed out that statistics from last year’s summit reveal that 15 startups were already invested in, with a total investment exceeding QR 68 million through “Start from Qatar” investment program. Furthermore, the Qatar Financial Centre registered 863 new companies in 2024, marking a 156 percent increase compared to 2023. He highlighted that the previous edition of the summit set several records, including the largest participation from startups in the event’s history and unprecedented attendance from African startups.
He expressed confidence that this year’s edition will be even more exceptional, saying they are confident that this year’s edition will be more distinguished and innovative.
