Doha:Qatar Chamber, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), has unveiled an integrated Qatari model for entrepreneurship and innovation. This initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs, with a special focus on women and youth, by leveraging strategic cooperation between the Chamber and UNIDO.

According to Qatar News Agency, the announcement was made during a meeting at Qatar Chamber's headquarters, attended by Qatar Chamber Board Member and Chairperson of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum, Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani, and UNIDO Deputy Director General, Fatou Haidara. The session also included Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansoori, Acting General Manager of Qatar Chamber; Dr. Hashem Suleiman Hussein, Head of UNIDO's Investment and Technology Promotion Office; and Dr. Khaled Hanafy, Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers.

The newly developed model is set to be refined locally, with plans to expand its application regionally and internationally. Discussions during the meeting emphasized cooperation in women's entrepreneurship, with the Qatari Businesswomen Forum playing a pivotal role in promoting women's participation in economic and investment activities. The meeting also highlighted the importance of building strategic partnerships with women entrepreneurs globally.

Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani praised the ongoing partnership between Qatar Chamber and UNIDO, particularly through the collaboration between Qatar Chamber's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center and UNIDO's Investment and Technology Promotion Office. She mentioned the 'Training of Trainers Programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation', which involved 30 experts from various sectors of Qatar's entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansouri reiterated the Chamber's commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation as key drivers of economic growth. He highlighted cooperation with UNIDO in developing the Chamber's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center and supporting startups through training, incubation, and market access.

UNIDO Deputy Director General Fatou Haidara commended the cooperation with Qatar Chamber and stressed the role of the private sector in sustainable industrial development. She expressed a desire to expand collaboration with Qatar Chamber to enhance investment opportunities and support entrepreneurs and startups.

Dr. Hashem Suleiman Hussein noted the prospects opened by cooperation with Qatar Chamber for creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship. He explained the shared vision based on adapting UNIDO's Entrepreneurship Development and Investment Promotion (EDIP) methodology, aiming to establish Qatar as a regional and international hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.