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Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, who chairs the Qatar Chamber, delivered his assessment during a session that drew together Arab business leaders to examine ways of strengthening economic ties. The chairman pointed to the sector’s ability to channel capital into productive ventures while generating employment that supports broader development aims throughout the Arab world. His comments come as regional economies seek to reduce reliance on traditional revenue streams and build more resilient structures capable of withstanding external shocks.
The Union of Arab Chambers has estimated that the private sector accounts for approximately 75 percent of the region’s gross domestic product. This contribution extends beyond output to encompass significant activity in employment, investment flows and export growth. A statement from the union’s secretary-general has reinforced that enabling the private sector through supportive policies remains central to raising overall economic performance.
Qatar Chamber has maintained close coordination with the Union of Arab Chambers to advance joint initiatives that promote cross-border investment. Sheikh Khalifa has repeatedly called for harmonised regulations that would ease trade and encourage partnerships among Arab enterprises. Such measures, he has argued, would elevate the competitiveness of regional economies while fostering sustainable expansion aligned with national development plans.
In Qatar itself the chamber has worked to align private sector activity with the Third National Development Strategy, which runs through 2030 and emphasises diversification away from hydrocarbons. The strategy includes expanded public-private partnerships that allow companies to participate in infrastructure, services and innovation projects. Officials have noted that these arrangements help local firms build capacity and integrate more deeply into global value chains.
A 2016 joint report by the World Bank Group, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and European Investment Bank identified the private sector as an essential driver of growth and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa. The assessment highlighted needs for improved business environments, greater access to finance, enhanced skills training and stronger trade frameworks. Addressing these areas, the institutions concluded, would enable firms to generate the jobs required by a growing working-age population.
Recent gatherings of the Union of Arab Chambers have produced agreements to rotate hosting duties, with Qatar Chamber scheduled to organise the next board meeting. Participants have used these forums to exchange information on regulatory reforms and investment opportunities that could be scaled across member states. The platform has also facilitated discussions on digital transformation and youth employment, both viewed as priorities for long-term regional stability.
