QBA Calls for Qatar-France Investment Partnerships

QBA Board Member Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani stressed on the importance of elevating the Qatari–French economic partnership to a more advanced level, built on localising French technology and industries in Qatar, transferring industrial knowledge and expertise, and establishing joint production ventures that support economic diversification and strengthen the competitiveness of Qatar’s private sector.

He emphasised the need to move beyond the traditional model of trade relations based on agencies, imports and distribution, toward genuine industrial and investment partnerships that allow Qatari companies to take part in manufacturing, production and development, while benefiting from the advanced expertise and technologies of French firms.

Sheikh Nawaf also added that Qatar’s advanced infrastructure and attractive investment environment position it to become a regional hub for advanced industries and services, noting that localising French industries in partnership with the Qatari private sector would open new export avenues to regional and international markets and increase value added to the national economy, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

QBA Board Member Saoud Omar Al Mana highlighted the importance of developing practical mechanisms for direct engagement with French companies, enabling the exchange of investment opportunities and the identification of projects that could be delivered through long-term partnerships.

The meeting also highlighted the value of drawing on French expertise in industrial and technology sectors and aligning it with Qatar’s economic diversification priorities under Qatar National Vision 2030.

Xavier-Marie Robert, Chief Executive Officer of Societe Generale Qatar and President of the French Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, highlighted the role played by French companies operating in Qatar and their contribution to the national economy through investments and activities across various sectors, as well as the expertise, technology and advanced solutions they bring to the business environment.

He encouraged French companies to expand their investments and presence in the Qatari market, describing Qatar as a strategic gateway for French firms seeking to grow across the GCC, thanks to its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, attractive investment climate, and the incentives and facilities available to foreign investors.

He also stressed the importance of capitalising on these strengths to forge more partnerships with the Qatari private sector, and of encouraging French companies, including SMEs, to make Qatar the base for their regional operations, strengthening mutual investment and opening new horizons for economic cooperation.

Economic relations between Qatar and France continue to grow, reflecting the depth of their strategic partnership. Bilateral trade in goods reached around €1.67 billion in 2025, while some 665 French companies operate in the Qatari market across a range of sectors. Qatar’s commitment to invest €10 billion in France, announced during His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Paris in February 2024, marked a milestone in investment cooperation, particularly in technology, industry, energy and digital transformation.

These indicators underline the importance of moving the economic relationship into a new phase, one focused on turning agreements into actual projects, expanding direct partnerships between Qatari and French companies, and strengthening the role of SMEs in mutual investment.

At the end of the meeting, QBA reaffirmed its commitment to continued cooperation with French economic bodies and the participating companies, and to strengthening channels of communication between the two business communities to develop investment opportunities and joint projects that serve the economic interests of both sides.