Saudi-Qatari Business Council Seeks to Expand Trade, Investment Ties
The Saudi-Qatari Joint Business Council discussed measures to deepen economic integration between the two countries by facilitating trade and business procedures, promoting mutual and joint investments, and strengthening the private sector’s role in driving cooperation.
The meeting was attended by Hamad Al-Shuwaier, chairman of the Saudi side of the Joint Business Council, Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani, chairman of the Qatari side, and council members from both countries.
It included the signing of five business agreements between Saudi and Qatari companies operating in furniture, medical supplies, real estate brokerage, advertising and marketing, exhibitions, and international investment.
The council also reviewed government investment initiatives available to the private sector in both countries under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Discussions covered priority investment sectors, a joint framework for implementing international projects, and the creation of a fast-track mechanism to address challenges facing Saudi and Qatari investors.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade and investment cooperation in support of development and prosperity.
Al-Shuwaier said the council had worked since its establishment to develop a strategy aligned with the directives of the leaderships of both countries. The strategy includes practical objectives and innovative cooperation initiatives that have delivered tangible economic results.
He said bilateral trade had tripled from its 2022 level, while Qatari investments in Saudi Arabia had reached approximately 12 billion riyals and Saudi investments in Qatar stood at around 6 billion riyals.
The two sides have also signed more than 10 joint agreements in recent years, Al-Shuwaier said, adding that the council had helped resolve 80% of the challenges identified as affecting trade and investment growth between the two countries.
He said business leaders would play a central role in the next phase, as both governments seek to empower the private sector to lead the next stage of sustainable economic development. He also stressed the need for a new strategy that reflects the requirements of the current phase and gives business owners and their executive institutions a leading role in its development and implementation.
On his part, the chairman of the Qatari side said the two countries’ shared heritage provided a solid foundation for building strategic and sustainable partnerships capable of adapting to changing circumstances and advancing mutual interests.
He said Qatar-Saudi relations were rooted in shared history, geography, and a common destiny, as well as bonds of brotherhood that unite the two peoples and their aspirations for a safer, more stable, and prosperous future.
The official noted that the directives of the two countries’ leaderships had created broad opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly through Qatar National Vision 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030, which offer new avenues for economic diversification and investment.
Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani said the meeting was taking place amid rapid regional and international changes, highlighting the need for greater cooperation, coordination, preparedness, and economic resilience. These efforts, he added, would support business continuity, strengthen supply chains, and improve both economies’ ability to respond to emergencies.
He described the meeting as an extension of the council’s previous gatherings, which focused on developing corporate alliances, exchanging expertise, and addressing challenges affecting trade and investment. Such efforts help facilitate the movement of goods and services and improve the business environment.
He added that stronger Qatari, Saudi, and Gulf cooperation, alongside the exchange of expertise, represented a practical approach to supporting the private sector and enhancing its contribution to development. He also underscored the importance of cooperation in transport, logistics, insurance, and supply chains to improve trade efficiency and create new opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
The Qatari official said major projects under way in Saudi Arabia—including preparations to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and the 2034 FIFA World Cup—were creating substantial opportunities for Saudi and Qatari companies to form strategic partnerships and exchange expertise. Key sectors include construction, supply chains, services, tourism, transport, and technology.
He described the private sector as an essential partner in advancing development and economic integration. The current phase, he said, requires greater cooperation and coordination, along with initiative, shared responsibility, and effective use of available resources to build more resilient economies capable of adapting to change.
He expressed hope that the meeting would provide a platform for exchanging expertise and perspectives, addressing challenges, and developing initiatives and decisions that strengthen business partnerships and advance economic integration and sustainable development.
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