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Doha: Under the patronage of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday opened the first Gulf Economic Forum at Doha Sheraton Hotel. It is organised by Federation of GCC Chambers in cooperation with Qatar Chamber.
In a speech, the Premier welcomed the participants and conveyed the Emir’s greetings and wishes of a successful forum, praising participating officials, experts and specialists. He said participants share same hopes and aspirations in building strong and balanced economy in the GCC states and create partnerships between the public and private sectors.
The Premier said Qatar plays host today to the forum out of its belief in the unity of Arab Gulf states and the unity of aspirations and goals of their people.
Qatar, he said, has translated this belief in different fields of GCC joint action as it is considered a gateway for joint Gulf investments and projects and a gateway to GCC businessmen looking for Qatari partners to set up partnerships.
The Premier said Qatar believes that a strong and balanced economy is based on a real partnership between the public and private sectors, especially as Qatar seeks to build a diversified economy built on diversification of sources of national income and not relying on energy as a key driver of the economy. To achieve this, Qatar has taken measures to facilitate business to ensure efficient performance and fair competition based on transparency, he said.
Qatar also possesses integrated features that made it a magnet for investment, the Premier said, adding the availability of inexpensive sources of energy and raw materials encourages taking advantage of the investment climate in the state and incentives provided to industrial establishments to set up a solid industrial base to meet the growing demand in the domestic market and compete in the global market.
QNA
