QDB to Host 15th World Export Development Forum

Doha, August 30 (QNA) - Qatar Development Bank (QDB) will host the International Trade Centre's 15th World Export Development Forum (WEDF) on October 20 and 21 in Doha, the bank announced Monday. QDB hosts the Forum, the first in the Middle East, under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. QDB expects around 600 experts from the world to attend the Forum under the theme Sustainable trade: Innovate, invest, internationalize. Attendees include representatives from governments, private sector, exports organizations and institutes, to discuss the scope and potential of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), women and youth. ITC Executive Director Arancha Gonzalez said, "This years WEDF is an opportunity for global thought leaders and business practitioners to discuss how the role of trade can be strengthened in spurring social and economic growth in developing countries." QDB Chief Executive Officer Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa said, "I thank the Ministry of Finance for entrusting QDB to host this global gathering. We are delighted to host such an international forum. As a part of our core mission QDB supports Qatari exporters and SMEs." This years edition of ITC's flagship event will explore the role that policymakers and business can play as partners, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). A particular focus will be on enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries to increase their competitiveness and grow through trade. Participants will discuss topics like Halal food industry and evolving SMEs exports at the Forum. The event will see high-level plenary sessions, workshops, and bilateral meetings between businessmen to support SMEs in the tourism, food, and plastic products sectors. WEDF 2015 will explore boosting the competitiveness of SMEs to drive economic growth. There will discussions on how to reshape entrepreneurship through new technologies, and innovative ways for SMEs to access finance. Participants will also look at regional economic integration, foreign direct investment as a key to connecting to value chains, growth potential in the tourism sector, and the role of halal standards in opening up new markets. (QNA)