Qatar Elected Co-Chair of Arab M&A Working Group

Qatar has been elected co-chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Working Group of the Arab Competition Network (ACN), strengthening the country’s role in promoting fair competition, enhancing regulatory cooperation and advancing competition protection frameworks across the Arab region.

Qatar was represented in the election by the Competition Protection Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI). The election took place during the fifth meeting of the ACN Executive Council, held virtually last week.

The appointment reflects Qatar’s active engagement in regional efforts to strengthen competition policies and promote closer coordination among competition authorities in Arab countries. It also provides an opportunity for Qatar to contribute to the development of regulatory practices and the exchange of expertise in mergers and acquisitions, an area of growing importance for market regulation and economic development.

As Co-Chair of the Working Group, the Competition Protection Department will contribute to leading its activities, including developing the group’s work plan, organising specialised meetings and workshops, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices among competition authorities in member states.

The department will also support the implementation of specialised training programmes, particularly in mergers and acquisitions and economic concentrations, helping strengthen institutional capabilities and promote a more consistent understanding of competition-related issues across the region.

The Working Group’s activities are expected to provide a platform for competition authorities to discuss regulatory approaches, share practical experience and enhance their capacity to assess mergers, acquisitions and other forms of economic concentration.

Such cooperation can help authorities address competition-related challenges and strengthen the effectiveness of their regulatory frameworks.

Qatar’s election comes as regional cooperation assumes greater significance in addressing increasingly complex market structures and cross-border business activities. Effective competition protection frameworks play an important role in maintaining fair market conditions, supporting transparency and ensuring that businesses operate within clear regulatory parameters.

Through its participation in the ACN’s Working Group, Qatar will contribute to regional dialogue on competition policy and support initiatives aimed at strengthening coordination and promoting the application of sound competition principles across Arab markets.

The appointment further underscores the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s engagement in regional cooperation initiatives designed to enhance regulatory expertise and support the development of effective competition protection systems.