Doha [Qatar], June 2: Qatar Chamber and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan have held high-level discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, activating the Qatari-Uzbek Joint Business Council, and identifying its membership and priority sectors, as both countries seek to deepen trade, investment, and private-sector partnerships.
The meeting, held in Tashkent, brought together representatives from both chambers to review the current state of economic relations and explore new avenues for cooperation across a wide range of sectors. Qatar Chamber was represented by Board Member Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli and Ahmed Abu Nahya, Director of the Public Relations Department, while the Uzbek delegation was headed by Jamil Maksudi, Advisor to the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.
The discussions focused on enhancing trade and investment relations between Qatar and Uzbekistan, strengthening private-sector collaboration, and activating the Joint Business Council as a platform for facilitating business partnerships and investment opportunities. Both sides also reviewed the investment climate in their respective countries and examined prospects for cooperation in the rapidly growing halal industry.
Addressing the meeting, Al Obaidli highlighted the strong and steadily developing relationship between Qatar and Uzbekistan, noting that bilateral ties have witnessed significant progress in recent years. However, he pointed out that the current volume of trade between the two countries remains below the aspirations and potential of both economies.
He emphasised the pivotal role of the private sector in advancing economic and commercial cooperation through the establishment of joint ventures and investment projects, particularly in light of the favourable investment environments and diverse opportunities available in both markets.
Al Obaidli further stressed the importance of organising direct meetings between business leaders and investors from both countries to identify potential areas for collaboration and build strategic partnerships. He identified healthcare, education, agriculture, technology, and innovation as sectors offering considerable opportunities for cooperation.
Highlighting Qatar's growing role in advanced technologies, he noted that the country has positioned itself as a regional hub for technology-driven industries, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and other cutting-edge sectors. He encouraged Uzbek businesses and investors to explore partnership opportunities in these fields.
For his part, Jamil Maksudi underscored Uzbekistan's commitment to expanding economic cooperation with Qatar and attracting greater Qatari investment. He revealed that Uzbekistan is working to establish an international financial centre, with Islamic finance forming one of its key pillars, creating promising opportunities for Qatari financial institutions and investors.
Maksudi also outlined a number of major development initiatives underway in Uzbekistan, including the ambitious "New Tashkent" project, which aims to create a modern smart city capable of attracting leading global companies specializing in technology and urban development. He expressed confidence that Qatari companies could play a significant role in the project, drawing on Qatar's internationally recognized expertise in smart city planning anddevelopment.
He further identified innovation, the halal industry, tourism, and logistics as strategic sectors offering strong potential for collaboration between the business communities of both countries. Maksudi praised Qatar's achievements and experience in these areas, describing them as valuable models for future cooperation.
During the meeting, the Uzbek side delivered a comprehensive presentation on the country's economic landscape, investment framework, and incentives available to foreign investors. The presentation highlighted a range of promising opportunities across key sectors, including textiles, leather manufacturing, construction materials, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
The discussions reflected a shared commitment by both chambers to deepen economic engagement, promote private-sector partnerships, and create new channels for trade and investment. The activation of the Qatari-Uzbek Joint Business Council is expected to provide a structured platform for enhancing business-to-business cooperation and unlocking the significant untapped potential that exists between the two countries.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing optimism about the future of Qatar-Uzbekistan economic relations and reaffirming their commitment to fostering stronger commercial partnerships that contribute to sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.
Source: Qatar Tribune
