‘Unprecedented’ Qatar-Canada ties expected in key sectors, says business forum official

Several key sectors, including cybersecurity and banking, are expected to witness “unprecedented co-operation” between Qatar and Canada, according to an official of the Canadian-Qatari Business Forum (CQBF).
“There are many important sectors that will witness unprecedented co-operation between Canada and Qatar. We are currently focusing on Information Technology (IT) and the cybersecurity sector, as well as in banking and real estate investment,” CQBF executive director and board member Yasser M Dhouib told Gulf Times in a statement.
Dhouib also said, the transport sector, particularly for the Hamad International Port, is also one of the business forum’s points of focus.
“The CQBF is working to offer Hamad International Port as a strategic Canadian future option,” Dhouib said, citing a Dubai-based multinational logistics company that announced “it had sold a stake in its main base in the Port of Jebel Ali and other major assets to one of the largest Canadian pension funds for $5bn.”
Dhouib said, “The Canadian-Qatari Business Forum believes in the great interest that Canada attaches to investing in this vital sector. We are preparing a file that will be presented to the Canadian Minister of Transport Omar al-Ghabra and HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti.”
Asked about the CQBF’s role in contributing to the growth of Qatar-Canada trade ties, Dhouib said since the business forum’s establishment in 2019, it has been serving its mandate as a strategic partner to drive Qatar and Canada’s business community towards a “win-win partnership.”
He said, “Both countries share some important similarities in having a young leadership on the top of their governments, and also a deep commitment for sustainable development that includes a comprehensive understanding for international issues that includes peace and development and multilateral partnership in the international business sector.
“CQBF sees itself as a facilitator in broadening prospects of co-operation and placing the interest of the Canadian business community closer to the different achievements of Qatar in many fields. Both two countries have important assets and thriving ideas and projects that certainly can provide expertise and knowledge to their region.”
Dhouib added: “Qatar and Canada both share the intimate conviction and belief in empowering women in business. The two countries’ business communities will certainly have many things to share from their different backgrounds and experience. CQBF is ready to get these prospects fulfilled.”