Tribune News Network
Doha
Indian Business & Professionals Council (IBPC QATAR) along with Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council of India (ESC India) jointly hosted a Virtual Business Meeting last week between Indian Exporters and Qatari Importers.
Ambassador of India to Qatar HE Dr Deepak Mittal, Chief Guest at the event, addressed the gathering by stating that India and Qatar already enjoyed strong bilateral relations and trade exchange, which reached a record US$ 15 bn last year. However, business communities on both sides were committed to take this even higher. Accepting that the current trade basket was highly loaded in favour of energy products, Dr Mittal urged businesses on both sides to look at ways to diversify the same. In this regard, he hailed the Business Meet as an appreciable effort to increase bilateral cooperation in sectors other than energy. Dr. Mittal recounted the exemplary contribution of IT sector in the aftermath of Covid pandemic particularly in implementing the largest immunization drive, ensuring seamless education through online platforms and even care of patients through tele-medicine solutions. He also recalled how IT industry has helped Qatar in contact tracing, service delivery and other areas. He further envisaged that even the forthcoming FIFA 2022 World Cup would require numerous IT solutions. Referring to India’s electronics industry, Dr Mittal said that India was already the second largest producer of mobile phones and with the launch of PLI Scheme for Electronics sector, many new interesting opportunities will emerge. He urged all delegates to take advantage of the Meet and explore opportunities for collaboration, cooperation and establishing new partnerships. He assured full support to Indian and Qatari business houses while enhancing bilateral economic ties between the two nations.
Counsellor at the Embassy Angeline Premalatha also attended the event, which saw active participation from 60 Indian and 25 Qatari companies, trying to forge new business partnerships. While actual numbers are still being worked out, organizers stated that several new business deals were struck during the two-hour Meet.
Earlier, welcoming the delegates, Sandeep Narula, Chairman, ESC India, spoke of strong bilateral relations between the two countries and the significant impact made by the huge Indian Diaspora on Qatar’s movement towards a modern economy. He said that Indian IT and electronics industry can make significant contribution to Qatar’s moves to accomplish its Vision 2030, which lays emphasis on diversifying country’s economy away from current dependence on energy products.
Speaking on the occasion, IBPC President Jaffer Us Sadiq recounted efforts to enhance bilateral trade and economic ties between the two countries. He invited all delegates to join IBPC and enjoy the facilities available to Indian companies seeking to find a foothold in Qatar.
Gurmeet Singh, Executive Director, ESC India, talked about how ESC was putting efforts to ensure Indian electronics and IT enterprises, particularly small and medium sized ones, to reach global markets and offer their products/solutions to global users. He thanked the Indian Embassy and IBPC QATAR for their support and cooperation in organizing the Meet.
Abdul Sathar, IBPC Vice President and Meeting Coordinator, thanked all the dignitaries and delegates and wished them a successful collaboration.
