QLC forum debates regional trends affecting country

Dr Alessandro Magnoli Bocchi, Sultan bin Rashid al-Khater and Afshin Molavi, senior adviser at Oxford Analytica, writer and journalist and senior fellow at the New America Foundation.

Qatar Leadership Centre (QLC) recently organised a State of the Region Forum for its leadership programme participants and alumni to discuss regional trends affecting the country.

Global advisory firm Oxford Analytica supported QLC in the one-day forum, which was held at Qatar National Convention Centre.

The event drew upon the expertise of speakers and attendees who discussed regional trends in the global economy, energy dynamics, regional challenges and opportunities, education for a knowledge-based society and Qatar’s mega projects.

“Qatar Leadership Centre is pleased to provide this opportunity for alumni and current participants to speak with regional analysts and thought leaders in a collaborative, interactive environment,” said Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, board member and managing director, QLC. “This forum is consistent with the role of QLC as a national platform for leadership excellence.”

Graham Hutchings, managing director of Oxford Analytica, highlighted regional challenges and opportunities, including the energy and digital revolutions, as critical factors at play. “This forum is designed as a catalyst for dialogue and analysis,” he explained.

The State of the Region Forum featured panel discussions with regional experts, business leaders and prominent Qatari leaders. Sultan bin Rashid al-Khater, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and QLC board member, emphasised recent “achievements of Qatari leadership in its economic development projects and policies”.

In another session, the impact of the shale gas production boom was termed “the defining energy issue of the early 21st century”, according to Dr Justin Dargin, Oxford University energy scholar. “With proactive policies, Qatar will be able to assure its future economic growth and benefit from the new energy paradigm,” he noted. 

Dr Alessandro Magnoli Bocchi, founder and CEO of Foresight Advisors, assessed Qatar’s prospects given the shift in global wealth to new markets, saying in terms of expected regional economic trends, “there is real potential for Qatar to boost growth by investing in rapidly developing countries”.

Raed al-Imadi, deputy CEO of Silatech, looked at the implications of the growing youth bulge in the region and the role of entrepreneurship.  

The link between education and employment was considered by Dr Yasar Jarrar, partner, Bain & Company, who recommended a “fundamental re-think and a major upgrade” in education systems and suggested that “the right skill set, knowledge base and attitudes” are essential.   

Following the forum, a special daylong session focused on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and the ways in which they would contribute to a growing economy. QLC Government Leaders participated in this workshop, which was facilitated by expert economists and thought leaders.

QLC is now accepting applications from qualified Qatari professionals to its next Rising, Executive and Government Leaders Programmes. Information is available on the QLC website, where interested Qataris can complete the online application -  www.qlc.org.qa