NEW DEHI: The India-Qatar Joint Business Forum, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), marked a pivotal moment for economic cooperation between the two nations. Held on Tuesday during the visit of Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the event highlighted both countries’ commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and strategic investment.Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal set the tone by reaffirming India’s ambition to become a $30-35 trillion economy by 2047, aligning with the Viksit Bharat vision. He emphasized that India and Qatar’s historic energy partnership is now evolving into emerging sectors like AI, quantum computing, IoT, and semiconductors.
“As global geopolitical dynamics shift and cybersecurity threats intensify, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) becomes a key priority. India and Qatar, with their distinct strengths, can complement each other and shape the industries of tomorrow,” Goyal said, inviting Qatari businesses to explore opportunities in GIFT City and suggesting the formation of a Joint Working Group for focused economic engagement.
Deepening Economic Bonds Beyond Energy
Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, echoed the sentiment of mutual respect and shared growth. “Our relationship goes beyond a mere transaction; it’s a tradition,” he stated. With India as Qatar’s third-largest trading partner, he emphasized Qatar’s investor-friendly environment and invited Indian entrepreneurs to tap into opportunities in infrastructure, tech, and innovation.
Union Minister Jitin Prasada lauded India’s $709 billion FDI inflows over the past decade and its 40,000 compliance reforms, which have turned the country into an “oasis of credibility” for global investors. He highlighted the India Stack’s role in revolutionizing digital inclusion and celebrated the QNB-NPCI partnership for boosting UPI-based digital payments.
Innovation-Driven Collaboration
Dr. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, emphasized the importance of extending cooperation to sectors like electric vehicles, non-oil manufacturing, and renewable energy. He detailed initiatives like the Qatar Financial Centre and Qatar Science & Technology Park, which aim to attract global talent and private equity investments.
Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, and Sanjiv Puri, President of CII, pointed to strategic growth areas—energy security, the startup ecosystem, agriculture, and skill development—as pillars for deeper India-Qatar collaboration. They also urged Qatari investors to participate in Startup Mahakumbh 2025, slated for April, as a catalyst for innovation and investment.
Sealing the Deal with MoUs
Two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to cement economic ties:
- CII and Qatar Business Association to foster business cooperation.
- Invest India and Invest Qatar to streamline investment flows.
- A New Chapter in Economic Partnership
With bilateral trade surpassing $15 billion in FY 2023-24 and Qatar ranking among the top three GCC investors in India, both nations aim to unlock untapped potential through innovation and strategic collaboration. Panel discussions on advanced manufacturing, AI, sustainability, and logistics provided a glimpse into the future-ready sectors both countries plan to champion.
“Our vision is to make the India-Qatar partnership a beacon for global economic resilience and growth,” said Piyush Goyal.
As the forum concluded, the resounding message was clear: India and Qatar are ready to co-create a future of shared prosperity—rooted in trust, innovation, and a deep commitment to sustainable development.
