H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and H.E. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India, inaugurated the India-Qatar Business Forum in New Delhi today. The event was held on the sidelines of the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, to India.
The forum saw extensive participation from business leaders, investors, and representatives of major Indian and Qatari companies across various sectors, reinforcing the strong business relations between both nations.
Aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, the forum highlighted emerging investment opportunities in both countries, underscoring their shared vision for sustainable economic growth and strategic partnerships.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani emphasised the longstanding relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of India. He noted the remarkable progress in bilateral trade, highlighting that in 2024, India became Qatar’s third-largest trading partner, with a 51% increase in trade volume, reaching $13.1 billion in 2024.
H.E. Sheikh Faisal described the forum as a crucial platform for exploring mutual investment opportunities, particularly in technology, innovation, energy, and industrial sectors. He underscored the need for concrete steps to strengthen economic collaboration, including the signing of new agreements and revitalising the Trade, Economic, and Technical Joint Commission between the two nations.
As part of the forum, H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of Qatar, and H.E. Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry of India, participated in a panel discussion. The session focused on expanding bilateral trade, promoting non-hydrocarbon sectors, and increasing private sector engagement in both countries.
The forum also witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding, including a memo of understanding between the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to foster economic cooperation in trade, investment, and technical collaboration. A second memorandum was signed between Invest Qatar and Invest India, marking a significant step toward strengthening trade and investment ties and creating opportunities for mutual projects.
The event featured presentations by investment promotion agencies from both countries, showcasing investment opportunities and highlighting the role of strategic investments in driving long-term economic partnerships.
Additionally, the forum hosted panel discussions and roundtable sessions on key collaborative sectors, including: Logistics and advanced manufacturing; artificial intelligence and digital transformation; and innovation and sustainability.
The discussions focused on expanding joint projects, exploring mutually beneficial investment avenues, and enhancing mutual cooperation in emerging industries.
The Forum reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to fostering sustainable partnerships and driving trade and investment growth. The forum sets the stage for long-term collaboration and mutual prosperity by enabling strategic agreements, knowledge-sharing, and business collaboration.
