DOHA: An international conference on financing SMEs and entrepreneurs in the Arab World kicked off here yesterday.
The two-day event titled “International Conference on Access to Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs in the Arab World” is being organised by the College of Business and Economics of Qatar University (QU) in collaboration with local banks.
The conference aims to encourage academics, researchers, practitioners and policy makers to disseminate and exchange knowledge about the use of global benchmarking indicators of the business environment in the Arab world. The event has brought together over 12 experts and researchers from local and international institutions to discuss and share ideas on a wide range of issues related to finance, economics and entrepreneurship.
The opening session was attended by President of QU, Dr Hassan Al Derham, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa representing Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank (QCB), and Managing Director SME Development Bank Group, Datuk Mohd Radzif bin Mohd Yunus from Malaysia.
“The conference will discuss the financing challenges facing the SME sector in the Arab World,” said Abdulaziz Al Khalifa in a key note speech.
“We want to support Qatar’s efforts in assisting SMEs, and in encouraging academic research aimed at provisioning of finance to this sector. QDB is committed to supporting the SME sector in Qatar, and our participation in today’s event is part of this commitment,” he added.
“SMEs development is one of the fundamental pillars to achieve economic diversity and a sustainable knowledge-based economy,” said Al Derham. “Economic diversity requires the development of specific government policies such as establishing an inspiring business environment, encouraging competition, and supporting SMEs by facilitating the required guarantees to obtain financing. A centre for entrepreneurship was established at QU, in September 2013”.
The Centre has the mission to provide the community with various services and training programmes with aim to increase community awareness on the importance of entrepreneurship, develop students’ skills and support them to innovate business ideas and transform them into viable start-ups.
“SMEs are a key component to a sustainable growth in any economy,” said Datuk Mohd Yunus. “Financing access will remain a challenge for all SMEs as they take the step of a business journey.”
The PENINSULA
