Meeting with Director-General of the World Trade Organisation Mr. Roberto Azevêdo
The Qatari Businessmen Association organized a Private lunch with Mr. Roberto Azevêdo, the Director General of the World Trade organisation, in honor of his visit to Doha
The Private Lunch was attended by Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, and from QBA Board, Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Al Thani and Mr. Sherida Al Kaabi, also QBA Members, Mr. Khaled Al Mannai, Mr. Salah Al Jaidah, Mr. Ibrahim Al Asmakh, Mr. Maqbool Khalfan, Mr. Nabil Abu Issa, and on behalf of Mr. Ali Abdul Reda Mashaadi, Mr. Adnan Sobhi Ibrahim attended the lunch, and also Ms. Sarah Abdullah, QBA Deputy General Manager.
At the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani welcomed the guest, pointing out to the importance of this visit, for what the world trade organization represents as a vital entity, its core mission is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, convenient and flexible as possible
From his part, Mr. Roberto Azevedo thanked the members of the Qatari Businessmen Association for the meeting. He also discussed modem economic trends and the development of the global market and expressed his admiration of the development he witnessed in Qatar over the last ten years, stating that Qatar vision and economic plan constitutes strong basis for the long term development of the country economy and distinguishes it from other similar economies in the region
Adding to that, He also talked about the economic conditions in the global markets and the crisis and complications that have resulted from the decline of the oil price. Following that he stressed on the importance of the diversification in oil and gas based economies including Qatar; to match the requirements of the global markets
and mentioned in this context, the possibility of making Qatar a financial hub in the region through creating a suitable legislative structure and facilitate the administrative and banking procedures. Also he highlighted the importance of the development of the technology sector as a major source of economic growth
In his words, Mr. Roberto Azevedo spoke about the role of the private sector in developing the economy of countries by identifying the obstacles facing investors and business owners; having said so he announced that the World Trade Organization will be holding for the first time a business meeting with representatives of the private sector from around the world in order to find out their views and discuss the challenges facing the global economy and local markets and their vision of how to solve them. The meeting is scheduled in May 2016 and will take place in Switzerland
At the end of the meeting, both parties exchanged gifts where Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, QBA Chairman Presented QBA Crystal Shield to Mr. Roberto Azevêdo