The Recap: Qatar Chamber's 2nd SMEs Conference This year's edition of the conference was held under the framework of economic partnership between Qatar and Turkey, represented by the Union Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
By Aparajita Mukherjee •
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Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) organized the 2nd SMEs Conference at The Ritz Carlton Doha in January, which was held under the patronage of Prime Minister and Interior Minister, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, H.E. Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud.
This year's edition of the conference was held under the framework of economic partnership between Qatar and Turkey, represented by the Union Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). The event saw QCCI and TOBB sign a cooperation agreement, signed by the QCCI Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani and TOBB president M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two agencies, develop its small and medium sized enterprise sector, and facilitate exchange of best practices in the SME industry.
In his address to the audience, Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, said that the country had realized the importance of the role played by the SME sector, and hence has modernized legislations and promoted initiatives to enable these businesses to increase their contribution to the gross domestic product.
With respect to the subject of funding for SMEs, Khalid Al Mana, Executive Director of Business Finance of Qatar Development Bank (QDB), noted, "It all boils down to risk, and QDB works with local banks to provide guarantees, though we do not work on a day-to-day basis on funding SMEs. Our guarantees serve the twin purpose of SME development, and promoting lending to the sector." At the same time, Salvino Salvaggio, Research Director – ICT, at Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), noted how his organization was helping change the landscape for SMEs in the country. "95-97% of the private sector in countries such as Qatar are SMEs, in recognition of which we, at QSTP, have established a product development fund to help fund SMEs."
Related: Empowering Entrepreneurs: Qatar Development Bank CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al-Khalifa
