QDB, INSME Concludes Inaugural Annual Meeting

Doha, April 25 (QNA) - Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Chief Executive AbdulAziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa said that Qatar has made great strides in the area of supporting and empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This came today in QDB's statement issued after the conclusion of the 12th annual forum of the International Network of Small and Medium Enterprises (INSME) which was held under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and hosted by QDB. "The meeting brought together a large number of local, regional and international experts under one roof, and an opportunity for Qatari entrepreneurs to benefit from their experience. It was a good opportunity for us to show the world what we do at Qatar Development Bank to support and enable SMEs and exchange knowledge and expertise. I can say Qatar has made great steps in supporting and empowering SMES." AbdulAziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB, added. 41 Qataris participated and attended the three-day event from a total of 148 participants, and 13 of 24 Qataris benefited from the training workshop. The Qatar participants were from entrepreneurs, SMEs and private and government institutes, such as Al Rayan Bank, Gulf Bank, Social Development Center, Commercial Bank, Bedaya Center, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Qatar Foundation for Science, Education and Community development, Qatar Finance Business Academy, and Qatar Business Incubation Center. The meeting also witnessed a significant presence of Qatari speakers and experts, Haya Al Ghanim, Innovation Director at QSTP, Mohammed Mubarak Al Khater the Executive Director of Investment QDB, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Horr, CEO of Qatar Finance and Business Academy. Hamad Al-Kubaisi, Executive Director of Advisory Services at QDB, And Aysha Madhahka CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Center. INSME is a legally recognised not-for-profit Association open to international membership based in Italy. It was established 12 years ago and comprises of 77 members across four continents. Its mission is to stimulate transnational cooperation and public and private partnership in the field of innovation and technology transfer to SMEs. (QNA)