Qatar’s Commerce and Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani has extended an invitation to Indian investors to explore the extensive opportunities within the Gulf nation’s economy and infrastructure. Addressing a joint business forum, the minister emphasized that the relationship between Qatar and India goes beyond transactions and is rooted in mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to enhancing economic cooperation.
The India-Qatar trade partnership has seen significant growth, with India becoming Qatar’s third-largest trading partner. Qatar remains a diverse, dynamic, and investor-friendly destination. Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Ahmad Al-Sayed highlighted the strong position of both countries in navigating the evolving global trade landscape. He stressed the importance of expanding collaboration beyond the traditional energy sector to emerging industries such as electric vehicles, manufacturing, and other non-oil and gas sectors.
To attract global investors, Qatar has established the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a key initiative aimed at facilitating private equity investments. Qatar stands as one of India’s strongest global partners, offering unmatched access to international markets. The Qatar Science and Technology Park will serve as a foundation for research and development, while Media City in Qatar aims to attract top media companies. Additionally, the Qatar Free Zone is designed to drive investment across key sectors.
Panelists at the forum highlighted the high potential for collaboration between India and Qatar in high-quality solar grid polysilicon manufacturing, among other areas. They noted that India’s prowess in digitalization, combined with Qatar’s ambitious plan for digital transformation, positions India uniquely to provide technology and scale for Qatar’s digital transformation. The discussions underscored India’s role as a gateway to South Asia and Qatar’s position as a hub for the Middle East.
The India-Qatar Joint Business Forum convened business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to explore new avenues of collaboration in relevant sectors. Bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed $15 billion in FY 2023-24, with increased investment flows ranking Qatar among the top three GCC investors in India. However, there remains significant untapped potential.
To strengthen this growing partnership, two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Qatar Business Association, as well as between Invest India and Invest Qatar. These agreements aim to facilitate business cooperation, enhance investment flows, and foster long-term collaboration in strategic sectors of mutual interest.
Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Sanjiv emphasized that the India-Qatar business delegation will serve as a catalyst for stronger partnerships. He welcomed Qatar’s participation in Startup India Mahakumbh 2025, scheduled for April 3-5, 2025, which will be a landmark initiative fostering deeper startup collaborations and attracting Qatari investments into India’s technology and innovation ecosystem.
CII President Sanjiv Puri highlighted key areas for economic cooperation, including energy security, agriculture, the startup ecosystem, and skill development. He further emphasized Qatar’s crucial role in India’s energy landscape and stated that the CII is committed to facilitating partnerships between Indian and Qatari entities as both nations plan their respective renewable energy goals.
The event also featured remarks from Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Al Thani, a board member of the Qatari Businessmen Association. The business forum showcased three panel discussions on investments, logistics and advanced manufacturing, as well as futuristic areas such as artificial intelligence, innovation, and sustainability.
