Tribune News Network
Doha
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Qatar recently hosted its inaugural "Qatar Trade and Treasury Thought Leaders Roundtable” in collaboration with MERGE. The event brought together financial experts, corporate leaders, and regulators to discuss critical issues affecting the future of trade and treasury in Qatar, with a focus on economic diversification, trade digitalisation, sustainability, Islamic finance, and regulatory developments.
This roundtable served as a precursor to the upcoming Qatar Trade and Treasury Transformation Summit 2025, which is set to take place in February 2025. Supported by ICC Qatar and organised by MERGE, the summit aims to explore transformative opportunities in Qatar’s financial landscape.
Participants at the roundtable highlighted the importance of continuous collaboration between financial institutions, businesses, and regulatory bodies to address the challenges and opportunities facing Qatar’s trade and treasury sectors. They agreed that adapting to digitalisation, fostering sustainability, and leveraging the growth of Islamic finance are critical to maintaining Qatar’s competitive edge in the global economy.
Reflecting on the discussions, MERGE Content Director Eleanor Hill said, "The conversations highlighted both challenges and opportunities within Qatar’s trade and treasury sectors. From digitalisation to sustainability, it’s clear that the potential benefits are vast, but realizing these benefits will require collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to progress.”
MERGE Co-Founder and CEO Queenie Taylor Wong expressed gratitude for the support of the local trade and treasury community, particularly in driving the conversation on digitalisation. She emphasised the importance of continuous dialogue and collaboration with ICC Qatar and other key stakeholders, especially through vital commissions like the ICC Qatar Customs & Trade Facilitation Commission.
ICC Qatar echoed these sentiments, noting that the topics discussed at the roundtable are essential for advancing Qatar’s trade and treasury sectors. The chamber stated that the agenda pushed boundaries, and the next step would be to integrate these discussions into regular commission and task force meetings, including the upcoming UNCITRAL MLETR Task Force meeting scheduled for October 9, 2024.
The roundtable sets the stage for further discussions at the 2025 summit, where key industry players, including corporates and financial institutions, are expected to explore more technical aspects of trade and treasury transformation in Qatar. The event underscores ICC Qatar’s commitment to promoting innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability in shaping the future of the country’s financial sector.