Industry leaders during the panel session.
DOHA: Experts emphasised modernising industrial safety through advanced technology, leadership development, and data-driven practices that supports Qatar’s broader economic ambitions by strengthening the performance of key sectors such as energy, maritime, and technology, in a panel discussion held recently.
The event was organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar (AmCham Qatar) in collaboration with Total Safety, convened senior executives, innovators, and decision-makers, fostering cross-industry collaboration that enhances operational efficiency and reduces risk factors that directly contribute to improved productivity and long-term economic resilience.
The panelists included the Director of Innovation & Strategy EMEA at Total Safety, Erik Mrak; Qatar Country Manager and Vice President for Operations at McDermott Middle East, Neil Gunnion; Chief Executive Officer of Sea Horizon Offshore Marine Services, Danial Kaabi; and Country Manager for Saipem Qatar, Agostino Napolitano.
Experts noted that as companies adopt smarter safety systems and more robust workforce cultures, Qatar is better positioned to attract investment, elevate industry standards, and accelerate growth across strategically important markets, ultimately supporting the nation’s expanding GDP.
The industry leaders explored key trends influencing the next phase of industrial safety in Qatar, highlighting how technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart safety devices, real-time visual monitoring, and predictive analytics are transforming operations across the nation’s vital sectors. They stressed the importance of cultivating leadership and workforce mindsets that embrace shared accountability, an approach that aligns with Qatar’s drive for higher performance standards. In addition, speakers underscored the value of exchanging non-sensitive safety data among industry players to strengthen tools, enhance best practices, and elevate safety benchmarks across the Qatari market.
Danial Kaabi, CEO of Sea Horizon Offshore Marine Services, said, “Technology will take safety only as far as people do. People are the drivers of change, and effective safety culture depends on technological investment, management engagement, and human behavior changes.”
The event began with opening remarks by Anis Tounsi, Total Safety’s Regional Operations Director, and was followed by insights from Roshan Viswanathan, the company’s Regional Director of Sales and Operations.
Together, they laid the foundation for a day centered on progressive discussions about how emerging technologies are reshaping workplace safety across Qatar’s energy and maritime sectors.
During the panel session, officials reaffirmed AmCham Qatar’s dedication to advancing the nation’s long-term vision of cultivating a competitive, knowledge-driven economy that sets regional benchmarks.
Speakers throughout the seminar urged participants to rethink traditional approaches to safety, moving away from viewing it merely as a preliminary requirement and instead embracing it as an integral element of human performance. This ‘safety equal’ mindset positions safety as a core value that enhances efficiency and excellence rather than limiting operations.
The discussion accentuated that furthering industrial safety in Qatar is not only a regulatory or operational imperative but a strategic enabler for the nation’s economic growth. By integrating advanced technologies, fostering leadership, and promoting a culture of shared accountability, Qatari industries can boost productivity, reduce operational risks, and enhance global competitiveness.
For the local market, officials added that these innovations open opportunities for collaboration, knowledge transfer, and investment in sectors like energy, maritime, and technology, which are central to Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
As Qatar-based organisations continue to adopt smarter safety frameworks, the nation is poised to set regional benchmarks for excellence, operational resilience, and sustainable industrial growth.
