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According to Qatar News Agency, the delegation comprised Buthaina Al Obaidly, director of the Family Empowerment Department, Ghada Al Emadi, head of the Empowerment Section, and Fatima Al Mohannadi, social services programs coordinator. Discussions centered on strengthening partnership between the chamber and the ministry, with a focus on initiatives that support training and capacity building. Al Mansouri underlined the Qatar Chamber’s commitment to empowering productive families and home-based entrepreneurs in line with its broader mission to advance the private sector and promote entrepreneurship.
Al Mansouri described productive families as a vital component of the entrepreneurial landscape, highlighting how numerous home-based ventures have successfully developed products and services capable of competing in the market. He advocated for the creation of an enabling environment that allows these businesses to scale up from home operations to small and medium-sized enterprises capable of accessing larger markets. The acting general manager pointed out that the Qatar Chamber pays particular attention to building the skills of home-based entrepreneurs through targeted interventions.
Training and rehabilitation programs represent key pillars for success in this area, Al Mansouri stated, specifying topics such as project management, marketing including digital channels, cost control, pricing strategies, customer service and product quality enhancement. These skills equip entrepreneurs with the tools to operate according to sound business principles and overcome common challenges. He called for coordinated action among all relevant stakeholders to establish a comprehensive support system that transforms innovative ideas into sustainable commercial ventures.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family has backed more than 1,000 productive families with training, empowerment and marketing assistance, with current direct beneficiaries standing at 680 families, according to ministry figures. This support aligns with the ministry’s strategy from care to economic empowerment under its 2025-2030 plan. Such programs have included workshops on financial planning and incentives like the Productive Families Incentive Award that recognizes innovation and quality.
A Qatar Development Bank assessment estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 home-based businesses operating in Qatar, the majority owned by nationals, many of whom have benefited from institutional training and exhibition opportunities. The Qatar Chamber has played a longstanding role in this ecosystem by facilitating market access through events and exhibitions while advocating for policy measures that aid SME growth. Its efforts complement those of the ministry in fostering self-sufficiency among productive families.
Small and medium-sized enterprises constitute 97 percent of private sector companies in Qatar and contribute between 15 and 17 percent to non-oil GDP, a Qatar Chamber review found. This underscores the strategic importance of initiatives that transition home-based activities into formal businesses capable of driving diversification. The chamber has organized multiple SME conferences and the Made in Qatar exhibition to showcase and promote local entrepreneurial output.
