Qatar and the World Trade Center in Hull - Marhaba Great Britain!

On the 6th of July SCY attended a meeting in the World Trade Center (WTC) in Hull, next door to The Deep, about business in and a special mission out to Qatar in October.

Lindsay West introduced the WTC and explained how Ian Archibald and himself had been targetting four countries in order to generate opportunities for businesses in and around the Humber and Yorkshire. They are specialists in renewable energy and digital gaming and entertainment but the opportunity in Qatar is open to all.

Qatar is an oil state that has been undergoing some phenomenal growth. They have 1.5m people living in their country with 250k citizens who are qatari by birth and the highest gdp per capita in the world. The ruling family, the Al Thani, are keen to reinvest the money from their primary export (oil) in sustainable technology and private enterprise for their citizens. The national vision includes four pillars; Human, Social, Economic and Environmental development. They are investing $120bn back into the country, in part to support the Football World Cup in 2022 but also in infrastructure, ports, logistics, education, medicine, pharma and design. Exports to Qatar have doubled over this last year, not hard to imagine when one learns that all foods and beverages are imported.

Over the past two years Lindsay has been over to Qatar nearing on ten times and over the course of this program has developed close relationships with influential people in the State of Qatar, so much so that Sam Pick, a biorenewables specialist and businessman saved an estimated six months of negotiations through his association with Lindsay.

Sam's insights into business in Qatar were enlightening. The Qataris are solid businessmen that expect delivery, they are committed when they have decided on a course of action and place a lot of value on personal contact. The decision makers are generally hard to get to and as such present a barrier to business; useful to know someone like Lindsay in this case.

There are other intricacies that have to be expected. When setting up a business the law states that a qatari must hold a controlling stake. This ensures that all businesses started are qatari owned and that the citizens are involved in private enterprise. Generally though, if you've got to a point of discussing equity the partner will be committed to seeing it through. and fortunately the profit split does not have to mirror the equity investment. There also are precedents to engage sleeping partners.

The WTC will make sure you get best value for going to Qatar and will make sure that you are fully up to speed on things like cultural issues and business pathways giving you the best opportunity for outcomes.

I can thoroughly recommend this opportunity. Qatar seems to be able and willing to develop themselves and they have a shortage in skills to get this done. Get in now while it's hot; Lindsay estimates that in 6-12 months they'll have everything they need!

More details and application form attached. The cost of the mission totals £4250 +VAT but it really will be worth it! See the attached for more information - deadline for applications is the 31st of July (Sunday week).