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The Qatar News Agency reported that Qatar Chamber participated in the International Trade Essentials Executive Programme recently organised by the Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Geneva. The event assembled business leaders along with representatives of chambers of commerce, government entities and the private sector from multiple Arab countries and Switzerland. Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari, first vice chairman of Qatar Chamber, represented the body throughout the proceedings.
On the sidelines of the programme Al Kuwari met with World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the news agency stated. Their discussion addressed the importance of private-sector participation in economic development together with the consultative role such participation plays in economic legislation. The exchange formed part of a broader effort to align business perspectives with global policy formation.
Held over five days, the programme sought to deepen participants’ grasp of the international trade system and the operations of leading international organisations based in Geneva according to the Qatar News Agency. It featured visits and working sessions at the World Trade Organization, International Trade Centre, World Intellectual Property Organisation and United Nations Headquarters. The International Trade Centre functions as a joint agency of the WTO and the United Nations, enabling coordinated technical support for trade initiatives worldwide.
Sessions examined the WTO’s functions and core principles, the role of the private sector, trade and investment patterns in the Arab region, processes for WTO accession, mechanisms to support small and medium-sized enterprises, e-commerce, trade facilitation, value chains, intellectual property and innovation strategies. Attendees engaged directly with experts from the host institutions to explore practical applications of these concepts. The structured agenda combined presentations with interactive working groups to reinforce learning outcomes.
The Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded in 1974 in Geneva as a non-profit organisation to promote commercial and cultural ties with the 22 Arab League states, its website states. Qatar has been a member of the World Trade Organization since 13 January 1996, the WTO records show. United Nations COMTRADE data place Qatar’s exports to Switzerland at $459.2 million in 2024, primarily in fertilizers and mineral products while Swiss federal figures indicate total bilateral trade reached CHF 1.2 billion that year.
The Qatar News Agency noted that the chamber’s involvement underscores its dedication to reinforcing the Qatari private sector’s visibility in international economic forums. Participation enables the body to monitor shifts in global trade practices while absorbing specialised knowledge from established institutions. The experience is expected to strengthen the competitive position of Qatari enterprises and open additional channels for trade and investment cooperation.
