Doha: The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) engaged in discussions on Tuesday to explore ways to accelerate Qatar's startup, innovation, and investment ecosystem. This initiative aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country's Third National Development Strategy.

According to Qatar News Agency, the event, titled 'Qatar as a regional innovation hub: accelerating the startup ecosystem in Qatar,' convened government officials, private-sector leaders, and investors from both nations. The meeting marked the unveiling of a study co-produced by USQBC Doha and the IFC, which outlines a strategic roadmap to bolster Qatar's position as a regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment.

USQBC Doha Managing Director, Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Thani, emphasized the Council's commitment to transforming dialogue into actionable commitments that propel capital, talent, and ideas. She highlighted the study's role in identifying investment-ready areas and institutional gaps, thereby providing a foundation for effective private-sector engagement.

Holly Welborn Benner, World Bank Group (WBG) Country Manager for Qatar, acknowledged startups as vital engines for innovation and growth. She noted that the report serves as a guide to realizing Qatar's ambition of becoming a hub for entrepreneurship and venture capital, focusing on unlocking potential, enhancing quality, and fostering sector specialization.

Khalid Al Sada, Senior Executive Vice President of Corporate and Institutional Banking at QNB Group, stressed the importance of collaboration among financial institutions, investors, and policymakers to build a competitive innovation ecosystem. He reiterated QNB Group's dedication to supporting platforms that drive innovation and entrepreneurship in line with Qatar's national development goals.

This event is part of an ongoing collaboration under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between USQBC Doha and the IFC, which aims to facilitate evidence-based dialogue and identify opportunities that support Qatar's development priorities and economic diversification.