Qatar's 'Proactive Mindset' Seen To Spur Entrepreneurial Growth

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) atar's proactive mindset, particularly during times of crises, is increasingly recognised as a signifi cant driver of entrepreneurial growth within the country, a top executive from a regional hypermarket group has said. LuLu Group Global director Dr Mohamed Althaf explained to Gulf Times yesterday that this forwardthinking approach encourages entrepreneurs, startup founders, and businesses to embrace innovation and take calculated risks, ultimately fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem.“I see a major opportunity,” Dr Althaf pointed out, citing Qatar's resiliency during the Covid-19 pandemic, among other regional challenges, where government tenacity and support helped promote creativity in diversifying its economy and reduce dependency on traditional industries.“Every crisis teaches us to look for opportunities. Compared to many countries, Qatar may not be large in size, but it has a strong economy. With cutting-edge technologies arriving here, Qatar is in a position to leapfrog into the future.“Unlike larger economies, Qatar does not carry heavy legacy burdens; concerns that slow down transformation elsewhere, such as disruptions to low-skilled job markets, are less relevant here,” Dr Althaf further explained. He also said,“Qatar does not face signifi cant unemployment among nationals, and there is already a continuous need for workers for lowtech jobs. This creates an incentive to adopt high-tech solutions without the same social constraints.”

According to Dr Athaf, Qatar“has the right conditions,” pointing to a young population, strong internet bandwidth, and a government“committed to delivering on its promises.” He said,“The infrastructure investments are visible: Anyone who visited Qatar 10 years ago would not recognise the improvements today. This includes not only physical infrastructure but also power grids, water systems, food storage, and digital networks. I believe Qatar will act with urgency. We will see more entrepreneurs emerge, bringing fresh ideas and new business models that deliver on this promise.”“Over time, globalisation and the free fl ow of goods led many countries, including those in our region, to prioritise effi ciency over strategic concerns. The philosophy of 'just-in-time' delivery and minimal inventory became dominant. But crises like this remind us that while effi ciency is valuable, security is even more important.“Businesses need deep strategic reserves. This is a lesson for the entire industry, and I hope it becomes part of our core DNA. Every business plan should include strategies for unforeseeable events - whether geopolitical, economic, or environmental,” he pointed out. Dr Althaf added:“Qatar has achieved a great deal, but this is a moment to recognise that reliability matters as much as cost. No country can be fully self-suffi cient, but selfreliance is possible through smart strategies and investment in infrastructure. I always emphasise the importance of maintaining strategic reserves. This mindset will inspire new entrepreneurial ideas. I am confi dent that future business models will prioritise security alongside efficiency

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