Qatar- Exports of QDB-registered SMEs up 23% last year

Doha: The Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has concluded the events of the Qatar Virtual Exhibition (QVE), which brought together top Qatari SMEs, distributors, and international buyers to explore export opportunities, forge strategic partnerships, and access new markets conveniently and regardless of any pandemic-related restrictions. In its first edition, the Exhibition drew a diverse group of local and international enterprises from all around the world.

By leveraging interactive digital platforms, export-oriented Qatari entrepreneurs and SMEs were able to exhibit and promote their products and services at their virtual booths, while international buyers had the chance to explore a wide variety of offerings across the country's lucrative industries, and book virtual meetings with manufacturers and suppliers over the course of four days.

The Exhibition comes in the framework of QDB's ongoing efforts to facilitate the growth and expansion of SMEs globally with confidence by identifying sustainable export opportunities, tapping into regional and global markets, and leveraging the State's export capabilities and advantages. 

In this context, and despite worldwide pandemic-induced lockdowns, registered exporters achieved an increase of 23% in the total volume of exports in 2020 alone, reaching QR686m. During the same year, 115 exporters participated in 10 matchmaking events, marking a 46% growth in the number of beneficiaries, and 27 Qatari exporters joined the Alibaba global e-commerce platform.

Commenting on the success of the first edition of QVE, QDB's CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, said: 'Through the Export Development Agency (Tasdeer), QDB is constantly working on identifying markets and developing platforms by designing engagements that accelerate the growth of Qatari exporters and SMEs and their contribution to the country's economic diversification by stimulating non-oil exports, while introducing international importers to Qatar's lucrative industries and thriving SME ecosystem. The Qatar Virtual Exhibition is the perfect embodiment of this dynamic and fruitful exchange.

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