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The discussions were led by HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani, chairman of the QBA board of directors, who met with Iraq’s Minister of Trade Mustafa Nizar Al Ani, Lebanon’s Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bisat and Hong Kong’s Trade Development Council Chairman Prof. Frederick Ma. According to the Qatar News Agency, the talks focused on expanding commercial and investment relations while increasing the role of Qatari firms in development projects and creating business partnerships. Potential fields for collaboration encompass industry, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, food security, logistics, technology, food manufacturing, tourism, financial services, innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The encounters further examined avenues to boost two-way investments, reinforce connections among business figures and companies, and facilitate the exchange of data regarding investment prospects, regulatory structures and available incentives. The association pointed to Qatar’s sophisticated infrastructure, business-friendly policies and advantageous geographic location as factors that could establish the country as a regional base for Asian enterprises aiming to enter Gulf and adjacent markets. Qatar attracted 373 foreign direct investment projects in 2025, a 52 percent increase from the prior year that generated $3.4 billion and over 15,000 jobs, Invest Qatar reported.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani noted that the QBA’s engagement at the forum demonstrated the Qatari private sector’s resolve to widen its global economic relationships and establish lasting partnerships spanning Arab, Asian and international arenas. He underscored the necessity of advancing past initial conversations and agreements to isolate viable investment openings, initiate shared ventures and intensify direct involvement among investors. The 9th World Investment Forum, organised in partnership with UN Trade and Development, assembled more than 7,000 attendees from across the globe between October 25 and 27.
UNCTAD statistics show worldwide foreign direct investment expanded by 6 percent to $1.6 trillion in 2025, although the gains were largely confined to the top economies. Iraq drew $400 million in FDI during the same period, marking a positive turnaround, according to the UN body. This QBA initiative coincides with Qatar’s launch of a $1 billion national incentives scheme directed at key sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics, technology and financial services.
Previous QBA engagements with Hong Kong have resulted in multiple memorandums of understanding aimed at enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, setting the stage for deeper collaboration. Comparable outreach to Iraqi and Lebanese authorities highlights Qatar’s strategy to fortify economic bonds within the region through private sector channels. The meetings form part of broader efforts at the forum to address investment challenges in developing markets and promote sustainable development projects.
The forum also featured discussions on artificial intelligence infrastructure, sustainable finance and policy reforms to attract capital to areas most in need, UNCTAD said. Participants examined ways to reshape global value chains amid geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainties. Outcomes included new partnerships and a framework to guide future investment actions toward inclusive growth.
