Doha, Qatar – 21 May 2025: His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, held a series of productive meetings with a select group of international ministers, officials, and CEOs on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum. The forum is hosted in Doha in collaboration with Bloomberg Media and Qatar Media City, and this year’s edition is being held from May 20th to 22nd under the theme “A Roadmap to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy.”

The forum’s first day featured several high-level bilateral meetings. His Excellency held talks with His Excellency Bandar Ibrahim AlKhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focusing on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in industry, investment, and trade, in alignment with the strategic priorities of both countries. His Excellency also met with His Excellency Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment of the United Arab Emirates, during which they discussed opportunities to deepen economic cooperation and align trade and investment goals between Qatar and the UAE.

Similarly, His Excellency held a bilateral meeting with His Excellency George Papanastasiou, Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry of Cyprus. They exchanged views on expanding cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of trade and industry, in addition to exploring ways to enhance collaboration in energy and commerce. His Excellency also engaged in discussions with Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Media Group, on topics listed on the forum’s agenda as well as several other areas of mutual interest.

His Excellency also hosted a luncheon in honour of the forum participants, reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to advancing its economic diversification plans. These efforts, His Excellency stated, are grounded in strengthening cooperation with all those who share its ambition for progress through clarity, consistency, and trust. His Excellency also called for the expansion of partnerships in key sectors such as trade and market access, public-private partnerships, particularly in healthcare and tourism, as well as in emerging industries such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

On the second day of the forum, His Excellency met with His Excellency Levan Davitashvili, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. The two discussed a variety of topics related to expanding trade, investment, and industrial cooperation between the two countries, and ways to support and develop these areas, in addition to other items on the forum’s agenda.

Furthermore, His Excellency held a series of one-on-one bilateral meetings with several CEOs of major international companies, including Mr. Rajeev Misra, Founder and CEO of One Investment Management; Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman of Accor Group; Mr. Henry Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI; and Ms. Jennifer Johnson, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton.

These discussions explored opportunities for investment collaboration and potential partnerships between these global companies and the public and private sectors in Qatar, across several vital industries. The meetings also highlighted the pivotal role of the forum in connecting investors with decision-makers and enhancing understanding of the country’s business environment.

During these engagements, His Excellency emphasised Qatar’s leading economic policies aimed at fostering private sector growth, highlighting the legislative incentives and promising investment opportunities available in the country. These initiatives aim to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and business owners to invest in the Qatari market.

It is worth noting that the Qatar Economic Forum holds significant importance as a platform for idea exchange, enriching economic dialogue, and advancing innovation in the Middle East and beyond. The forum brings together a distinguished group of leaders and decision-makers, and its fifth edition, held five years ahead of the realisation of Qatar National Vision 2030, serves as a key catalyst in driving the goals of this forward-looking vision and bolstering Qatar’s position as a hub for economic and cultural diplomacy.