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The
Qatari Businessmen Association organized a meeting with Mr.
Ahmed Aweidah, CEO of the Palestine Stock Exchange, and the
accompanying delegation at QBA’s offices on Monday, March 26th.
The meeting was attended by distinguished QBA members, Mr. Salah
Al Jaidah, Mr. Nabil Abu Issa, in addition to Mrs. Sarah
Abdallah, Deputy General Manager of QBA, Mr. Abdul Salam Abu
Issa, board member of Salam International, Dr. Adnan Staitieh,
Executive Director of Salam International, Mr. Andrew Went, CEO
of Qatar Exchange, and representatives from the banking sector,
Qatar National Bank, Commercial Bank, and Al Ahli Bank.
Mr. Ahmed Aweidah thanked the association and the audience for
the warm welcome, and spoke about the Palestine Exchange (PEX),
that strives to provide trading market characterized by equity,
transparency, and competence, serving and maintaining the
interest of investors. Moreover, PEX seeks to be a model for the
Arab and regional financial markets through service excellence,
and the ability to create ideal and attractive investment
opportunities, commitment to the rules of corporate governance,
and weaving constructive relations with the Arab, regional and
global markets, along with the use of the latest technology,
which is portrayed through the volume of online trade that
constitutes 20% of the total trade.
The number of companies listed on Palestine Exchange has reached
46 companies, with a market capitalization of about $ 2.8
billion, spread over five sectors: banking and financial
services, insurance, investment, industry, and services. The
Palestine Exchange aims to include new companies, provide new
diversified services and financial instruments, and create a
professional work environment in the stock market by focusing on
the development of human resources, and adopting the latest
technological developments in financial markets. |
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On the other side, the Qatari Businessmen Association welcomed
Mr. Ahmed Aweidah and the accompanying delegation, and praised
the success of Palestine Exchange in providing a favorable and
secure trading environment in light of the political situation
in Palestine. In addition, Qatari businessmen expressed their
willingness to cooperate with Palestinian businessmen in order
to overcome the economic crisis and rebuild the Palestinian
economy.
It is worth mentioning that the Palestinian economy is based on
the services sector, which constitutes 81% of the GDP, while the
industrial sector comprises 14% of the GDP and agriculture 5%.
In this context, Qatar Charity has launched agricultural
projects exceeding $ 12 million, to provide sustainable food
security in Palestine, in 2011. These projects will be carried
out through five years, and include the planting of fruit trees
and land reclamation. It is part of Qatar Charity long term
strategy that aims to enhance food security in Palestine, and to
support efforts to eradicate poverty. |
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Confindustria Visit to QBA |
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The
Qatari Businessmen Association organized a meeting with
Confindustria, the Italian industrial and business association
in QBA offices, in light of the Qatari Italian Business forum,
that was held on March 20th, where Qatari companies, businessmen
and investors participated along with around 55 Italian
companies representing the infrastructure, construction, real
estate sectors, and sports infrastructure companies. The meeting
was attended by Shiekh Faisal Bin Qassem Al Thani, chairman of
Qatar Businessmen Association, and from the Italian side, Mr.
Cesare Trevisani, vice president of Confindustria, along with
the accompanying delegation.
Mr. Trevisani introduced Confindustria as the biggest industrial
and business association in Italy and Europe, since it includes
150,000 small, medium and large enterprises, along with a
segment for young Italian entrepreneurs whose ages do not exceed
40 years. Mr. Trevisani also thanked Shiekh Faisal for the
association’s efforts to accomplish the goals of the Qatari
Italian Business forum.
On the other side, Shiekh Faisal welcomed his guest Mr.
Trevisani, and spoke about the history of economic relations
between the countries, where Italy is considered the second
largest importer between the European countries, which reflects
the market’s trust in the high quality Italian goods; Qatar
imports electrical machines, metals, and transport equipment.
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In addition, Shiekh Faisal also reviewed the investment
incentives in Qatar, which include the low cost of energy and
electricity, low tax regulations that do not exceed 10% for
foreign investors, as well as the existence of development
projects and investment opportunities. The chairman of the
Association hoped to strengthen economic relations in various
fields between the two countries. Qatari companies can also
benefit from the experience of their counterparts in the
implementation of Qatari development projects in preparation for
hosting the 2022 World Cup.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Cesare invited Sheikh Faisal to
visit Italy, and host a Qatari-Italian forum in the Italian
capital, Rome, in order to introduce the Qatari companies to the
business and investment opportunities in Italy and provide them
with a platform to network and interact with their counterparts.
In response to this invitation, and since QBA encourages the
participation of the young generation in the economy in line of
Qatar National Vision 2030, Sheikh Faisal suggested organizing a
joint delegation comprising of members of the Association and
young Qatari entrepreneurs, so as to familiarize them with
business opportunities in Italy, and to meet with their
counterparts from young Italians. The Association also sponsors
the Entrepreneurs Organization in Qatar, which is a dynamic and
global network of more than 7,000 business owners in 38
countries, whose aim is to build the world’s most influential
community of entrepreneurs and engage them to learn and grow.
It is worth mentioning, that Italy is a popular touristic
destination for Qataris, especially since it embraces artistic
and historical archaeological sites that consist of more than 64
% of the world’s treasures and history of human civilizations.
Qatar has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Italy
in March 2010, to develop the tourism sectors of both countries,
through encouraging the public and private investments in
touristic sectors and enhancing the cooperation between the
travel agencies and tourism offices of both countries.
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Visit of Bulgarian Ambassador and Minister |
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The
chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association, Sheikh
Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, met H.E. Mr. Nikolay
Mladenov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr.
Miroslav Zafirov, Chargé d'Affaires and Head of
Mission in the Bulgarian State of Qatar, on
Thursday, March 15, after the official visit of
H.E.Mr. Boyko Borisov, Prime Minister of the
Republic of Bulgaria and his accompanying delegation
to Doha.
The Qatari side was headed by Sheikh Faisal Bin
Qassim Al Thani, and the meeting was attended by the
distinguished QBA members Mr. Ibrahim Al Jaidah, Mr.
Ibrahim Al Neama, and Mr. Ashraf Abu Issa.
During the visit, Mr. Nikolay Mladenov informed QBA
chairman and members about the results of the
Bulgarian delegation to Qatar, where an amount of
100 million Euros were assigned to be invested in
the three main sectors of Bulgarian economy, which
include agriculture, tourism and infrastructure. In
addition, a team of Qatari experts will visit
Bulgaria within a month to study prospect investment
areas pertaining to these sectors, as well as in
energy field, to discuss potential cooperation prior
to the visit of HE Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin
Jassim Al Thani, to the Bulgarian capital Sofia. The
Qatari government has also proposed to the Bulgarian
delegation to hold an exhibition of Bulgarian
products in Qatar, as the Bulgarian companies have
the opportunity to compete with the both private and
public sectors.
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Mr. Nikolay Mladenov invited Sheikh Faisal and QBA
members to visit Bulgaria, and explained about
Bulgarian investment incentives, which include the
lowest tax rate in European countries, and an
economy growth that currently depends on the service
and tourism sector (64.2%), industry (30.6%) and
agriculture (5.2% ). Moreover, he explained that the
Bulgarian government is moving toward the
development of high-end medical tourism sector.
On the other hand, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al
Thani, expressed the importance of the official
visit, since it will help in supporting the economic
relations and investment opportunities between the
two countries. Sheikh Faisal also confirmed the
readiness of Qatari businessmen to support and
identify investment opportunities available in
Bulgaria.
It is worth mentioning that the value of trade
between Qatar and Bulgaria has reached around 3
million USD in 2011. The economic cooperation
between the countries are expected to increase after
the opening of the direct line for Qatar Airways
last year, and agreement on the exemption of visa
for holders of diplomatic and special passports. The
two parties are also currently working on the visa
requirements and procedures in order to facilitate
the entry of more investors to Bulgaria.
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Visit
the Bulgarian Delegation to the Association |
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The
chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association, HE
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassem Al Thani, met HE Mr.
Miroslav Zafirov, Charge d'Affaires and Head of
Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
in Qatar, on Thursday March 8, 2012. During the
meeting, HE Zafirov invited Sheikh Faisal and
members of the Association to attend the official
opening of the Qatari – Bulgarian Forum on March
14th at the Four Seasons Hotel, along with the
forum’s workshops which will be held in Movenpick
Hotel during the period March 14 to 15.
The conference aims to identify to the Bulgarian
companies the investment opportunities in the Qatari
market in the aim of participating in projects
related to hosting the World Cup 2022. On the other
hand, the forum serves also in defining to the
Qatari companies the investment opportunities
available in Bulgaria, in order to increase the
partnership and trade cooperation between the two
countries, and the establishment of the Qatari
companies in Bulgaria. This is clearly pictured
through the focus of Bulgarian government on
building a dynamic and vibrant economy, particularly
by providing a fit work environment that encourages
entrepreneurship, investment and economic growth,
with the introduction of investment and new tax
regulations to make Bulgaria an attractive
investment destination. Furthermore the opening of
Qatar Airways direct flight, from Doha to the
Bulgarian capital Sofia last September, contributed
actively in the easier transportation of businessmen
and promoted tourism cooperation between the two
countries. After this important event, the Bulgarian
Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov visited the State
of Qatar in October 2011, during which he has noted
that the Republic of Bulgaria is seeking to
facilitate the flow of investments from Qatar, and
has signed several joint agreements, most notably
the exemption of visa for diplomatic passports and
special.
HE Mr. Miroslav Zafirov noted that the Forum
coincides with the official visit of His Excellency
Mr. Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister of the Republic
of Bulgaria, to the State of Qatar. The forum will
bring together business leaders and representatives
of most major Bulgarian companies, and more than a
hundred of the Director of the Bulgarian economic
sectors.
On the other hand, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassem Al Thani
welcomed the invitation to the forum’s opening and
expressed the importance of this event, which is
useful in supporting the economic relations and the
creation of investment opportunities between the two
countries. He also confirmed the readiness of Qatari
businessmen to identify investment opportunities
available in Bulgaria.
It is worth mentioning that the value of trade
exchange between the two countries has exceeded 35
million QR per year, with imports from Bulgaria,
which include milk and dairy products, meat and
wood. In addition, the mutual official visits have
contributed highly to the progress of bilateral
cooperation between the two countries, and the
signing of more than 11 cooperation agreement in the
field of tourism and sports, and aviation services,
and the avoidance of double taxation services.
Moreover, Qatar Investment Authority has contributed
$ 500 million in 2011 to create a Qatari - Bulgarian
company targeting agriculture, which accounts for
7.1% of the Bulgarian economy, real estate, tourism,
and services sector, where it occupies 57.7%, the
bulk of the Bulgarian economy.
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Visit of the Italian Ambassador to the Association |
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The
president of the Qatari Businessmen Association,
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassem Al Thani, met HE Mr. Andrea
Ferrari, the Italian Ambassador in Qatar, on
Wednesday March 7, 2012.
The two parties discussed the upcoming
Qatari-Italian Business Forum, which is organized by
the Qatari Businessmen Association in collaboration
with the Italian Embassy of Qatar, along with
Confindustria, Italian Businessmen Association,
SIMEST, development finance institution promoting
the activities of Italian businesses in Italy and
abroad, ANCE, Italian Construction Builders
Association, on 20 -21 March 2012 in the Four
Seasons Hotel in Doha, Qatar.
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The two parties discussed the upcoming
Qatari-Italian Business Forum, which is organized by
the Qatari Businessmen Association in collaboration
with the Italian Embassy of Qatar, along with
Confindustria, Italian Businessmen Association,
SIMEST, development finance institution promoting
the activities of Italian businesses in Italy and
abroad, ANCE, Italian Construction Builders
Association, on 20 -21 March 2012 in the Four
Seasons Hotel in Doha, Qatar.
The forum aims to promote trade cooperation between
Qatar and Italy, and will help the Italian companies
in identifying the available investment
opportunities in Qatar. On the Qatari side, the
forum will also introduce the Italian companies and
products to the Qatari business society, and provide
a common platform for businessmen of both countries
to interact and network. The conference will be held
with the participation of Italian business leaders
chaired by HE Mr. Mario Ciaccia, Deputy Minister for
Business and Development and acting as Minister of
Infrastructure and Transports, and representatives
of the real estate sector, infrastructure and
construction, and more than 45 Italian companies
representative of the real estate sector,
infrastructure and construction.
On the other side, Sheikh Faisal Al Thani welcomed
the forum, and stressed on the importance of this
event in strengthening the economic relations
between the two countries, where he expressed the
Qatari businessmen interests in the Italian market
which offers high quality products, and will allow
the Qatari companies to benefit from the experience
of their counterparts in the implementation of
Qatari development projects in preparation for
hosting the 2022 World Cup.
At the end of the meeting, the Italian Ambassador
invited Sheikh Faisal to visit Italy, as it is rich
with opportunities and possibilities of trade and
investment in various commercial and industrial
sectors.
It is worth mentioning that the trade relations
between Qatar and Italy have witnessed a remarkable
growth during the last four years, reaching almost
1.53 billion Euros in 2010. The agricultural sector
accounts for 1.9% of the Italian economy, the
industrial sector accounts for 25.2%, and the
service sector occupies the largest share of the
Italian economy by 72.9%. The Qatari imports from
Italy entail machines, electrical appliances,
mechanical, metallurgy, and transportation. In
addition, Qatar will be hosting an exhibition Made
in Italy - Qatar held during 10-13 May in Doha,
which aims to promote Italian products and services,
and to provide Italian companies with new economic
trade destinations in Qatar and other GCC countries.
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