The Qatar-Saudi Joint Business Council held a meeting on Sunday in Riyadh to discuss mutual interests in facilitating trade exchange, simplifying business setups, and enhancing mutual investments.
The meeting was presided over by Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, who led the Qatari delegation, while Hamad bin Ali al-Shuwair chaired the Saudi side, in the attendance of Federation of Saudi Chambers president Hassan bin Moejeb al-Huwaizi.
The event was attended by Qatar Chamber second vice-chairman Rashid bin Hamad al-Athba, along with several board members and council members from both organisations.
In his remarks, Sheikh Khalifa praised the close and distinguished Qatar-Saudi relations, emphasising that the meeting builds on previous efforts to foster a more integrated and prosperous economic future.
He highlighted the available opportunities and the keen commitment of both nations’ leaderships to expanding and strengthening cooperation across economic, commercial, and investment sectors, particularly within the private sector.
Sheikh Khalifa also emphasised the Qatari business community’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnerships with Saudi counterparts. He invited businessmen and investors from both countries to explore investment opportunities across various sectors and leverage the attractive investment environment, advanced infrastructure, modern financial system, and progressive legislation in both nations.
He stressed that the strong investment climate on both sides across all sectors provides vast opportunities for co-operation and sustainable growth. Sheikh Khalifa expressed hope that the council would work toward eliminating obstacles hindering the smooth flow of goods between the two countries, particularly unilateral measures that impede trade growth.
Sheikh Khalifa further emphasised the chamber’s commitment to supporting businessmen and investors by facilitating a conducive environment to enhance trade and investment partnerships.
For his part, al-Huwaizi noted that there are significant opportunities for cooperation between the business sectors of both countries, highlighting Qatar's experience in hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, through which the Saudi side can benefit. He also underscored the importance of achieving economic integration between both countries.
Similarly, al-Shuwair commended the close relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, emphasising the shared commitment to strengthening these ties at all levels, particularly in the economic sector. He expressed optimism that the private sector will play a greater role in strengthening economic relations.
He highlighted that the opportunities created by Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030 necessitate the activation of an initiative aimed at identifying opportunities, disseminating economic information, and promoting them within the Saudi and Qatari business sectors.
Al-Shuwair highlighted the significant achievements of the business council, including its role in increasing trade exchange and joint investments between Qatar and Saudi Arabia by more than 120%.
“The council has facilitated the signing of several agreements across various sectors, organised five forums to strengthen economic relations and promote trade opportunities, launched multiple initiatives to market Saudi and Qatari products, fostered industrial integration, and established specialized task forces for key sectors in both countries,” he said, noting that a plan is being developed to enhance economic cooperation, address obstacles hindering bilateral trade growth, and coordinate joint events.
Al-Athba praised the strong fraternal ties between both countries, emphasising the private sector's role in strengthening trade and investment relations.
He highlighted the business council’s vital role in connecting business owners from both sides, addressing economic and commercial issues, and laying the foundation for partnerships and trade alliances that support bilateral trade growth.
He also stressed the Qatari private sector’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with its Saudi counterpart, leveraging the vast potential of both economies. He noted that Qatar National Vision 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030 provide a strong framework for expanding trade and investment partnerships, further boosting economic activity between the two nations.
The meeting was presided over by Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, who led the Qatari delegation, while Hamad bin Ali al-Shuwair chaired the Saudi side, in the attendance of Federation of Saudi Chambers president Hassan bin Moejeb al-Huwaizi.
