Doha: The Business Year (TBY) has officially launched The Business Year: Qatar 2022, World Cup Special Edition at the exclusive, invitation-only Qatar Investment Summit 2022.

The event, which gathered leading figures from across the economy, was kicked off by TBY’s Regional Director for the Middle East Ioana Popa, after which Country Manager Nataly Almanza Madrid officially presented The Business Year: Qatar 2022, World Cup Special Edition to attendees. The publication is the eighth annual edition TBY has published, during which time it has covered the growing ambitions of the Gulf state, from diversification and self-sufficiency to sustainability and World Cup preparation.

 

The Qatar Investment Summit 2022 aimed to draw attention to the most dynamics sectors of the Qatari economy, giving a voice to leaders from both the public and private sector across a series of panel discussions. The first panel, moderated by Seif Hourani, Strategy Partner at Consulting HAUS LLC, and featuring Gudni Stiholt Adalsteinsson, Acting CEO at Doha Bank, and David Cook, CEO at Sharq Insurance, focused on resilience in the local economy and growth prospects moving forward. Topics that emerged during the discussion included the rise of fintech, PPPs, and digital transformation in insurance and banking.

The next session was opened Ghanim AlSulaiti, CEO and Founder of Enbat Holding, who made a speech on sustainable business models, promoting greener practices within the local community, and the push for sustainability along the supply chain. This was followed by the second panel of the day, moderated by Doha News's Hazar Al-Kilani and featuring Hatem El Mohandes, Google Cloud's Regional CE Manager, Dr. Fadi Nasser, COO at MEEZA, and Ali Al-Shabibi, Partner at KPMG in Qatar, who discussed sustainability and ESG initiatives in Qatar.

Finally, the event closed with a discussion on World Cup preparation and legacy. Moderator Venkat Krishnaswamy, Partner & Head of Advisory at KPMG in Qatar, lead talks with: Sheikh Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Head of Business Development at Qetaifan Projects; Ashraf A.R. Abu Issa, Chairman at Abuissa Holding; Faisal Abdulla KH Al Mana, Vice Chairman at RC Al Mana; and Dr. Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Executive Director of Competitions and Football Development at Qatar Stars League.

 

During the panel, Ashraf A.R. Abu Issa said, “We are all working hard to guarantee our leadership. This is only the start of how we, as a small nation, can deliver an amazing event beyond everyone’s expectations.” Sheikh Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani agreed, telling the audience, “Whether in the sports sector or in the financial and business industries, we have much more to provide to the international community and the best is yet to come.”

The Business Year: Qatar 2022, World Cup Special Edition was produced in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Qatari Businessmen Association, and the Qatari Businesswomen Association. It is available now at thebusinessyear.com, as well as on all major business information platforms, including Bloomberg Terminal, Refinitiv Eikon, Dow Jones Factiva, and FactSet, as well as on PressReader, Google Books.