Australia Qatar Business Association to strengthen economic and bilateral ties

The Australia Qatar Business Association (AQBA) has officially been launched, strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Domiciled in the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), AQBA aims to tap into more than 3,000 Australians residing in Qatar by delivering and facilitating business connections, thereby cementing the presence of Australian industries in Qatar.

Working closely with AQBA to support this ambition is the QFC, currently the platform of choice of more than 2,200 businesses from various countries.

The opening of AQBA follows the recent visit by HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, to Australia for meetings with the Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia; Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister; and Penny Wong, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"Today, we are proud to be further enhancing the relationship, with the launch of the business association. AQBA will support engagement between two important partners, and I look forward to attending an event with our new members in due course,” said Australian ambassador to Qatar, Shane Flanagan.

“I’m delighted to welcome AQBA to the QFC community, where we can work together to support Australian businesses, bolster bilateral trade and enhance the exchange of innovation and expertise, contributing to the long-term prosperity of both economies,” QFC Authority CEO Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida said.

Qatar is the third largest trading partner for Australia in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, with key exports including engineering services, fertiliser, aluminium, and aviation services, with the latter primarily driven by Qatar Airways, which plays a critical role in enhancing connections between Qatar and Australia.

As the driving figures behind AQBA, Flanagan; Justin Kerr-Stevens, founding chair of AQBA; and Lauren Fryer, secretary, will continue liaising with QFC and senior Australian business leaders to expand the association and further enhance bilateral cooperation.

“In bringing together this group it is our hope that we can support and enhance the many lucrative business opportunities already in place between Australia and Qatar. I’m thrilled to be playing a role in strengthening trading connections,” said Kerr-Stevens.