India-Qatar Joint Business Forum to Boost Economic Cooperation Amidst Amir’s Visit.
New Delhi:
In a bid to deepen economic and trade ties, India and Qatar will host the India-Qatar Joint Business Forum on February 18, 2025, in New Delhi, coinciding with the visit of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Amir of Qatar, to India. The forum is set to provide a vital platform for fostering investment opportunities, technological collaborations, and strengthening the economic partnership between the two nations.
Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, the event will bring together leading policymakers, business leaders, and stakeholders from both countries. The forum aims to explore new avenues for bilateral trade and partnerships in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, food security, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
Keynote addresses will be delivered by Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, State of Qatar, and Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The event will feature a high-profile Qatari delegation, which includes prominent business leaders from a variety of sectors including finance, technology, and innovation.
Panel Discussions at the Forum
The India-Qatar Joint Business Forum will host three significant panel discussions:
- Investment as a Vehicle for Building Long-Term Strategic Partnerships – Exploring ways to leverage investment to foster deeper economic cooperation.
- Cooperating in Logistics, Advanced Manufacturing, and Food Security – Identifying areas for joint ventures and policy-driven collaborations in critical industries.
- Promoting Cooperation in Futuristic Areas (AI, Innovation, Sustainability) – Strengthening cooperation in emerging technologies such as AI, renewable energy, and sustainability practices.
These discussions aim to facilitate collaborations in joint ventures, foreign direct investment (FDI), and policy-driven strategies that will define the future of trade and investment between the two nations.
Strategic Investment Areas for India-Qatar Collaboration
The India-Qatar economic relationship is already strong, with growing bilateral trade across diverse sectors. Qatar has invested significantly in India’s technology, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors, while Indian companies continue to thrive in Qatar’s market. The forum will highlight opportunities for further investments, particularly in areas aligned with India’s ambitious Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, including logistics, railways, airports, semiconductors, renewable energy, food security, and innovation-driven sectors like AI, fintech, and space technology.
The forum will also emphasize the India-Qatar Startup Bridge, which has been instrumental in fostering partnerships in AI, deep tech, and fintech, further enhancing the innovation-driven economic ties between both nations.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
This forum will serve as a vital platform to strengthen industry collaborations and facilitate strategic business engagements between India and Qatar. Key objectives of the event include:
- Deepening business-to-business (B2B) ties between Indian and Qatari industries.
- Promoting technology transfer and innovation partnerships.
- Facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) and joint ventures.
- Encouraging trade through policy reforms and strategic agreements.
As India solidifies its position as a global hub for manufacturing, technology, and entrepreneurship, the India-Qatar Joint Business Forum stands as a critical step toward reinforcing the shared vision of both nations for sustained economic cooperation and innovation across key sectors.
The forum is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping future trade, investment, and technological advancements, ensuring long-term strategic collaboration between India and Qatar.
