Successful German Economic Delegation to Qatar

The delegation trip to Qatar from November 24 to 27, 2024, was an outstanding success for the companies involved. Led by the BVMW presidency—comprising Senator a.D. Christoph Ahlhaus, BVMW Chairman Gordon Pelz, Deputy Chairman Dr. Jochen Leonhardt, and board member Dr. Jochen Leonhardt—a distinguished group of German entrepreneurs visited this dynamic Gulf region. The trip aimed to unlock new business opportunities and build lasting partnerships. Both members of the Federal Economic Senate and BVMW were part of this vital initiative.

Organized with Professionalism
The BVMW, through its regional office in Doha, meticulously planned and coordinated the journey. This office provided participants with a platform to explore business opportunities and strengthen international collaborations. A comprehensive, well-curated itinerary allowed attendees to thoroughly assess the potential of the Qatari market.

Strategic Discussions and Valuable Insights
The trip featured high-level meetings with key institutions and companies, including the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, the Qatar Free Zone Authority (QFZA), Power International Holding, Al Faisal Holding, and Aamal Holding, represented by Sheikh Turki bin Faisal Al Thani.

Additionally, there was a notable meeting with the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), which represents some of the largest family businesses in the region (Forbes-listed). This high-profile gathering included S.E. Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Al-Thani and other board members. These discussions offered concrete prospects for investments and collaborations while providing participants with valuable insights into Qatar's economic dynamism.

Further discussions on a ministerial level included S.E. Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, laying the groundwork for sustainable partnerships and collaborative projects.

Groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
A highlight of the trip was the signing of an MOU between Web Summit Qatar and the BVMW GCC Office. Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of Qatar’s Government Communication Office and Chair of the Permanent Organizing Committee for the Web Summit, and Senator a.D. Christoph Ahlhaus sealed this cooperation. The goal is to promote German startups’ participation in the world's first German Start-up Pavilion, organized by the BVMW GCC Office, at the upcoming Web Summit in Qatar.

This initiative marks a milestone in strengthening economic relations between Germany and the region, supporting the German Mittelstand and young entrepreneurs. It offers German companies the chance to showcase their solutions to a global audience and build international networks.

Positive Outcomes
The delegation trip highlighted the immense value of strategic business travel for international expansion. The connections and partnerships established during the trip open new pathways for participants to globalize their strategies and benefit from Qatar's economic growth. This visit represents a significant milestone in German-Qatari collaboration and underscores the importance of strong networks to support businesses on a global scale.