Doha: The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Qatar recently held a webinar on ‘Building a Digital Economy Fit for the Future’ to explore the major challenges facing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy. The webinar also addressed challenges relating to cyber security, artificial intelligence, data governance and digital content.
Director of International Relations and Chamber Affairs at Qatar Chamber and ICC Qatar, Sheikha Tamader Al Thani, said the webinar aimed to increase awareness of cyber security among the Qatari business community.
“With the 2022 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, companies in Qatar are increasingly faced with cyber security threats and the challenge of how to effectively deter potential attacks on data. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) in business, particularly as the digital economy continues to rapidly advance.
She added: “The webinar enabled us to explore both the challenges and opportunities at a time when the Qatari private sector is making steady strides towards the digital economy and knowledge-based economy”.
Also speaking during the event, Deputy Director of Innovation for All at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Charly Gordon, noted that ITC has gained considerable importance in recent years, which has become more apparent for MSMEs in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
“ICC has implemented a number of initiatives in the field of cybersecurity, such as the issuance of ICC Cybersecurity Guide for Business and the launch of ICC’s ‘Save Our SMEs’ campaign to assist MSMEs to tackle the current challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Gordon also stressed the need for effective coordination between all local and international stakeholders to overcome cybersecurity threats, including funded cyber-attacks and the spread of misinformation, which harm infrastructure and businesses, impacting trade and business consumer relations.
“All economic sectors are now moving toward artificial intelligence, which provides new business opportunities for the private sector to develop its products and services. It is a good time for MSMEs in Qatar to capitalise on these opportunities and to also safeguard against cyber threats,” Gordon added.
