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According to the Qatar News Agency, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani led the Qatar Chamber delegation at the 52nd Arab Labor Conference that opened a day earlier in the Egyptian capital. The chairman described the gathering as an important platform for strengthening dialogue and coordination among production parties in Arab countries while uniting efforts to confront challenges facing labour markets. He pointed to rapid economic, technological and climatic shifts worldwide as factors intensifying pressure on regional employment systems. Sheikh Khalifa underscored that Arab integration and coordination form a cornerstone for achieving sustainable economic and social development.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani stated that the Arab private sector constitutes a fundamental partner in development and the main driver of investment and job creation. He therefore highlighted the importance of strengthening public-private sector partnerships together with developing laws and policies that stimulate investment, support business growth and open new horizons for entrepreneurs. The chairman expressed hope that conference recommendations would bolster joint Arab action, support collaboration among production parties and build labour environments that promote productivity, investment and innovation to benefit Arab economies and generate sustainable employment opportunities.
Data from the Union of Arab Chambers indicates that the private sector contributes approximately 75 percent of the Arab region’s gross domestic product while playing a crucial role in production, employment, investment and exports. Union of Arab Chambers Secretary-General Dr. Khaled Hanafy has noted that these efforts have attracted companies and investors to the region, reframing Arab markets as strategic partners that add value through local resources and human capital. He has emphasised that youth represent the driving force behind digital transformation, with national success in technology adoption depending on the private sector’s capacity to integrate as many people as possible into the shift.
A World Bank report published in April 2025 identified the private sector as a vital engine for productivity growth in the Middle East and North Africa, where the region is projected to expand at 1.9 percent in 2024 before reaching 2.6 percent in 2025 amid global uncertainties. The assessment found that MENA economies remain far from living-standard frontiers largely because of low productivity levels, urging reforms to competition, business environments and data availability. It highlighted how businesses create jobs, improve livelihoods and foster innovation yet often lack the dynamism needed to absorb shocks effectively.
The 52nd Arab Labor Conference runs through September 20 and assembles representatives from 21 Arab states along with employer, worker and international organisations to examine the future of work. Sessions address sustainable economic growth, inclusive social development, climate change effects on workplaces, women’s labour force participation and the role of start-ups in digital transformation. Organisers have placed particular focus on aligning skills, training and labour policies with emerging employment opportunities across the region.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani reaffirmed the Qatar Chamber’s commitment to backing Union of Arab Chambers activities that deepen economic cooperation among member states. The chamber has organised business visits, hosted delegations and formed sectoral committees throughout recent years to identify obstacles and propose solutions for private enterprises. These initiatives have produced measurable results, including a seven percent increase in certificates of origin issued during 2025 compared with the prior year, according to Qatar Chamber figures.
