CQBF executive director Yasser Dhouib.
Some 15-20 Canadian companies are expected to participate in the World Summit AI Qatar slated in Doha by the end the year, an official of the Canadian-Qatari Business Forum (CQBF) has said.
Yasser Dhouib, executive director of the Canadian-Qatari Business Forum (CQBF), said the participating companies accompanying the CQBF delegation to the summit represent a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, robotics, healthcare, cleantech, transportation and logistics, education, energy, finance, agri-food, and retail.
“The presence of the Canadian-Qatari Business Forum at the World Summit AI Qatar from December 10-11 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre and the Web Summit Qatar 2025 reflects CQBF’s firm commitment to foster strategic initiatives, business opportunities, and partnerships with companies in Qatar and fruitful return of investments for their Canadian counterparts,” Dhouib told Gulf Times.
Dhouib’s statement follows CQBF’s “successful participation” in the recently concluded Collision 2024 held in Toronto. He noted that Collision is dubbed as “North America’s fastest-growing tech conference, bringing together Fortune 500 companies, groundbreaking startups, and world-class speakers.”
“The CQBF’s attendance at Collision demonstrates our efforts to draw Canadian high-tech companies and AI technology into Qatar’s vision for becoming a regional hub for high-tech investment,” Dhouib explained.
According to Dhouib, the CQBF reported a “significant presence” at Collision, fostering partnerships with key Qatari entities, such as Invest Qatar and its initiative, Startup Qatar, “a one-stop online platform catering to all business requirements and serving as the single comprehensive national resource for information, support and opportunities offered to startups.”
The involvement of Qatari government agencies like Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council confirms a strong commitment to collaborative initiatives between both countries, said Dhouib, who highlighted Canada’s “strategic importance” in Qatar’s plans, thus positioning the CQBF “as a pivotal partner in this initiative.”
Dhouib emphasised that CQBF is keen to work with other strategic public and private sector partners from Qatar and Canada in the realm of tech and IT, among other sectors, ahead of the upcoming World Summit AI Qatar.
The CQBF plans to engage with private and government authorities, such as Qatar Chamber, the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to achieve the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, Dhouib said.
Similarly, CQBF also collaborates with Canadian federal and provincial organisations to advance the development and deployment of AI technologies, Dhouib said, adding that this aims to leverage Canada’s strengths in AI for international partnerships and economic growth.
“The CQBF works with the governments of Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick to promote Canadian AI innovations on a global stage. We have jointly supported trade missions that highlight Canadian AI capabilities and facilitate partnerships in Qatar.
“Through the Global Affairs Canada, the CQBF has co-ordinated efforts to connect Canadian AI firms with Qatari counterparts, supporting the exchange of technology and expertise between the two nations,” he explained.
Dhouib noted that the CQBF collaborates with Montreal startups and the Investissement Quebec to support Quebec-based AI startups in exploring opportunities in Qatar. This includes organising workshops and networking events tailored to bridging Quebec’s tech ecosystem with Qatari markets, he also said.
Dhouib further explained that the CQBF is encouraging Canadian companies across the country to explore collaborative opportunities and solidify partnerships. “Meetings and roundtable discussions are being scheduled to address mutual interests in technology and innovation sectors, aligning with Qatar’s strategic vision for AI and digital transformation,” he emphasised.
Dhouib said the CQBF is embarking on long-term prospective partnerships with Toronto Global, an umbrella group of hi-tech and IA Canadian companies, as well as MaRS, the world's largest urban innovation hub in Toronto that supports startups in the health, clean tech, fintech, and enterprise sectors.
“The CQBF is crafting partnerships with Startup Montreal as the main hub for high-tech investment companies. This is certainly an important asset that the CQBF is gearing up to present for prospective Qatari companies and business partners.
“Thanks to its pan-Canadian outreach, the CQBF, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, is interested to create a Canadian-Qatari business partnership and the opportunity for interchangeable approaches of know-how transfer and expertise,” Dhouib added.
