Doha: World-class infrastructure and amenities offered by Qatar have created opportunities for aspiring businesspersons to explore and launch startups in the country.
According to data from Qatar Stock Exchange, 48,000 units were registered in 2021, an increase of 1,000 units as compared to the previous year.
With establishing startups and available office spaces, reports state that the country anticipates more units in the coming years.
Many individuals who aspire to launch startups spoke to The Peninsula about the unique opportunity that lies within the region.
“We want to help business owners manage their booking effectively. Not just manage but also get the right reporting, and the right statistics that a business needs to develop their portfolios,” said Jassim Al Ejji, Co-Founder of Venly application platform that looks forward to launching this May.
Aimed at welcoming tourists to Qatar, the startup firm focuses on providing packages that help families and friends discover every leisure spot in the country.
“As of now, Venly covers sports, and adventures. We have wellness facilities and a resort as well as event places, meeting rooms and study rooms,” Al Ejji added.
During a campaign held earlier this year, numerous startup firms were promoted to derive solutions. These include Brazilian companies including Piccadilly.
Speaking on the importance of finding a crucial opportunity to strengthen the ties and reinforce the economy of both countries, Rafael Solimeo, who heads the international office of the Arab Brazil Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) in Dubai, said, “Brazilian companies have yet to discover Qatar. Some have already started exploring opportunities in the country. We learned the footwear manufacturer Piccadilly took advantage of the World Cup in Qatar to open two points of sale in the country after a successful internationalisation experience in other Gulf markets.”
Quoting Piccadilly as an “exciting example”, he said more Latin American companies are showing interest to launch startups in Qatar.
“More than just selling products, the company was willing to create specific shoes for Arab consumers, mainly footwear that appealed to Muslim women,” he said.
During an event conducted by ABBC, Piccadilly said it exports 35 percent of the day-to-day production of 35,000 pairs of shoes, while 15 percent of the pairs are exported to the Arab region.
It has 27 points of sale abroad including 12 in Kuwait, three in Saudi Arabia, and now two more have been added in Qatar.
“We have been doing important work within the scope of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce to show the immense potential of the Arab markets, including Qatar, as markets with per capita income far above that of Brazil, great consumption potential, a high number of young consumers, high level of education, and who are increasingly entering the labour market as these countries advance in their economic transition strategies for the post-oil era,” Solimeo said.
He added: “The work carried out by the Arab Brazilian Chamber is not limited to showing these opportunities to Brazilian companies. We also help these organisations to develop detailed business in Arab countries, seeking to broaden the understanding of these societies.”
The official noted that several missions are being executed to achieve their target and partner with several entities in the GCC market.
“Within the context of this project, we have already carried out two business missions to Arab countries, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. We will hold a third business mission in the middle of the year.”
Underling the potentialities the companies determine to invest in the GCC business hub, Solimeo said: “Soon we could have specific missions to Qatar, so Brazilian companies can also get to know the country. In addition, we have funds to subsidise obtaining halal certification for companies that consider Muslim markets to be strategic for their expansion goals.”
Recently, Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) hosted XLR8 Demo Day which saw many aspiring entrepreneurs promoting their innovative ideas and creating solutions for the modern age.
Three candidates secured the top spots for their brilliant technology-based startup ideas.
