DOHA: Qatar Development Bank (QDB), in collaboration with the Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC) and the General Authority of Customs in Qatar, recently held a workshop to raise awareness of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by the World Trade Organization (WTO) among Qatari companies.
The workshop, held on December 3, 2015 discussed the benefits of the agreement with representatives from the ITC and their role in facilitating two-way trade between Geneva and Qatar.
Bakhit Salem Al Abhaq, Head of Operations and Support at the General Authority of Customs explained their role in facilitating trade for local businesses. Al Abhag provided details on Al Nadeeb, an automated system introduced to Qatar in 2013 to provide better communication and integration with the trade community. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB, said: “Qatar Development Bank’s strategy is to stimulate SMEs to enter new markets and to encourage companies to export their products to the world.
The bank has several initiatives that aim to educate and raise awareness amongst the local SME community, including our Tasdeer initiative which specializes in export support and is considered one of the most effective tools in raising the competitiveness of Qatar’s exporting companies.”
Al Khalifa added: “As part of our Tasdeer export programme, QDB holds regular workshops to ensure local SME’s are kept informed of important changes in export regulations and bilateral agreements. We also undertake market studies to identify export opportunities and assist Qatari companies to take part in international fairs and events under the name of Qatar Pavilion. This provides logistical and promotional support, supplying information about the importers in those markets, and arranging and holding bilateral meetings between exporters and importers. Today, we are spreading awareness about the most important advantages of the WTO Agreement to facilitate trade, in order to support SMEs in Qatar capitalise on export markets.”
The Peninsula
