17 March 2015 - The ASEAN Committee in Doha (ACD) made a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, on March 11 at Al Faisal Holding Office at Marriot Marquis Tower, West Bay, Doha. During the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen economic relations between ASEAN and Qatar.
Indonesian Ambassador Deddy Saiful Hadi, as ACD Chairperson, briefed Sheikh Al Thani on the ASEAN Economic Community, which aims for regional economic integration by 2015, and highlighted the immense economic development in the Asia-Pacific and invited QBA to explore economic opportunities in the region.
Sheikh Al Thani affirmed his interest to link up with private business organizations in ASEAN, while taking note of the unique opportunities presented by each member country.
ACD also invited QBA to send a delegation to ASEAN to which the latter requested for a proposed date so that it could then determine the particular business sectors that it wants to meet with in each country.
The Philippine Embassy in Doha reiterated previous invitations from Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and Senator Jinggoy Estrada for Sheikh Al Thani to visit the Philippines, which could be an opportunity for QBA to explore the Philippine market and tie up with various business organizations in the country, such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Sheikh Al Thani acknowledged the invitations and said he would look into his schedule to determine a possible date.
ACD was formally established on 12 December 2011 with the aim of promoting ASEAN awareness in Qatar and strengthening ASEAN-Qatar relations. It currently comprised the Embassies of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
QBA, meanwhile, aims among others to support and enhance the role of the private sector in Qatar’s economy by engaging with various foreign business delegations in forging regional and international alliances, especially in the field of business development.
Al Faisal Holding, which was founded by QBA Chairperson Sheikh Al Thani in the 1960s, is among Qatar’s leading private companies that played a significant role in the development of Qatar’s economy and infrastructure. Currently, the company has a diverse business portfolio that includes real estate, hospitality, construction, trading, transport, entertainment, education, services and information technology. END