The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have discussed ways to accelerate Qatar’s startup, innovation, and investment ecosystem. The discussions took place during an event titled “Qatar as a Regional Innovation Hub: Accelerating the Startup Ecosystem in Qatar,” which brought together government officials, private-sector leaders, and investors from both nations.
The event marked the launch of a joint study co-produced by USQBC Doha and the IFC, titled “Qatar Startup Ecosystem Study: A Roadmap to Accelerate the Ecosystem.” The study’s findings outline practical pathways to strengthen Qatar’s position as a regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and investment in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s Third National Development Strategy.
In her opening remarks, USQBC Doha Managing Director Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Thani noted that the Council is working on activating private-sector opportunities and moving capital, talent, and ideas from dialogue to commitment. The study provides an evidence-based foundation to engage the private sector effectively by identifying areas where investment readiness exists and where institutional gaps need to be addressed, she said.
World Bank Group Country Manager for Qatar Holly Welborn Benner emphasized that startups are engines of innovation, job creation, and future growth. She noted that the report provides a roadmap that includes unlocking founders’ potential, enhancing startup quality and scalability, increasing investment capacity, and promoting sector specialization.
The event is part of ongoing cooperation under a Memorandum of Understanding between USQBC Doha and the IFC, aimed at promoting evidence-based dialogue and strengthening private-sector engagement in support of Qatar’s economic diversification efforts.
Source: Qatar News Agency
