Doha: The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) seeks to help revitalise the local business sector and help restore business activities from the impact of the pandemic, QBA members have said in an action plan adopted by the group during its 32nd Board Meeting which was held at the QBA office in Doha recently. 

The meeting was headed by QBA Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani and attended by QBA First Deputy Hussein Al Fardan, QBA Second Deputy Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, and other members inlcuding Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani, Sherida Saad Jubran Al Kaabi, Saud Al Mana, Abdul Salam Issa Abu Issa who represented Issa Abu Issa, as well as QBA Deputy General Manager Sarah Abdullah. 

Members reviewed the QBA's activities during the past year and the first two quarters of 2020, especially after the repercussions of the virus outbreak on business sector. Members highlighted the Qatari government's quick response, under the directions of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for the proactive initiative to provide financial incentives package to support the Qatari private sector and the economic and financial sectors in general. 

QBA members also valued the meeting with Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, to discuss the economic and commercial impact of the outbreak on the private sector and appropriate solutions to overcome the challenges.   At the top of the Board meeting agenda was the discussion of the recommendations presented by QBA during the recent meeting of 'The Private Sector Challenges & Obstacles Committee. 

The committee, established in 2019 and headed by the Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, aims to strengthen the partnership between the public and private sectors and the involvement of the Qatari private sector in the state's economic development process. 

The board members also discussed QBA's participation in several ministerial committees with various ministries and entities in developing plans and policies related to the business environment and the private sector, which include the second ‘National Development Strategy Committee 2018-2022' with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the ‘Organizing Committee of the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF)' also with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

QBA also recently participated in the technical working team of the ‘Economic Diversity and Financial Sustainability Committee' in cooperation with Qatar Development Bank.

The Board members also reviewed some of the activities that the group organised this year. With the start of 2020, QBA held a meeting with Minister Al Kuwari to strengthen communication with the Qatari business community and Qatari businessmen.

Sheikh Faisal and Qatar Free Zones Authority Chairman Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sayed also signed a MoU on joint cooperation in providing services to local and foreign investors during the QBA members' visit to the Business Innovation Complex in the Ras Bu Fontas Free Zone.

With the outbreak of the coronavirus, QBA members reviewed a number of proposals and initiatives to reduce the economic impact of the pandemic on the business sector. Following the meeting, the group presented an 'economic study to analyse the main economic indicators, with some urgent proposals submitted to the authorities.

In the same context, QBA prepared over six economic reports in various sectors, in addition to the Global Competitiveness Report which QBA prepares annually with the World Economic Forum. 

This year, QBA in partnership with the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute, continued its role in distributing and collecting data from businessmen and women and senior executives in private sector firms.

The group also reviewed series of virtual bilateral meetings. Most notably, holding the Qatar-Turkey Business Council with the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Association (DEIK). 

As a follow-up to the results of the Business Council, the QBA organised over 50 specialised sectoral meetings in various sectors including health, medicine and food industries in cooperation and with the participation of the QFZA. 

The QBA also held a virtual meeting with the Federation of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) to discuss solutions during the pandemic. 

The group has received a number of foreign commercial and economic delegations last year. The visits included officials such as heads of state, foreign ministers, and heads of chambers of commerce and economic organizations from various countries, including but not limited to the US, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, England, Russia, Malaysia, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Jordan, Korea, Cuba, Botswana, Bulgaria, Venezuela and Greece, as part of its continuous endeavor to enhance cooperation and develop bilateral relations for the Qatari private sector and open new markets for Qatari businessmen.  On the international level, QBA participated in meetings, forums and foreign trade missions to Japan, China, France, Germany, Malaysia, as well as Austria. 

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