The North News
New Delhi, February 18
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has underscored that the future of India-Qatar economic partnership will be anchored in sustainability, technology, entrepreneurship, and energy. Speaking at the India-Qatar Business Forum in New Delhi, Goyal emphasized that bilateral relations are built on trust, trade, and tradition. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, was the Guest of Honour at the session.
Goyal highlighted a shift in trade dynamics between the two nations, moving beyond traditional energy exchange to emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, and semiconductors. He acknowledged global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, and cybersecurity threats, and stressed the need for India and Qatar to collaborate for economic resilience and shared prosperity.
The minister announced two key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)—one between the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and another between Invest Qatar and Invest India. These agreements aim to bolster trade, investment, and economic cooperation. Additionally, Goyal revealed the elevation of the Joint Working Group on trade and commerce to the ministerial level to facilitate stronger bilateral engagement.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Goyal asserted that “confidence in India is stronger than ever before” and urged business leaders to harness this momentum. He positioned India as an attractive investment destination, citing its robust economic growth, a youthful workforce, regulatory reforms, and an emphasis on ease of doing business. He invited Qatari companies to explore investment opportunities in manufacturing, renewable energy, smart cities, and infrastructure development.
Goyal noted that Qatar’s Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 initiatives align closely, offering a framework for long-term collaboration. He concluded by reiterating India’s commitment to fostering a stable and predictable business environment, encouraging deeper ties with Qatar for mutual growth.
