BCCQ Business Breakfast with The Department for Business & Trade

The British Chamber of Commerce Qatar welcomed members and guests to The Ned Doha on Tuesday 11 August for a Business Breakfast with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) from the British Embassy Doha.

The morning provided BCCQ members with an opportunity to hear directly from Ian Mason, Country Director Qatar at the Department for Business and Trade, about the evolving UK–Qatar commercial relationship, the opportunities emerging across key sectors and the support available to businesses looking to develop their international presence.

Hosted in the private setting of Kaia at The Ned Doha, the breakfast combined an informative business discussion with an opportunity for members to connect, exchange ideas and continue building relationships across the BCCQ community.

Understanding the UK–Qatar business landscape

With businesses continuing to navigate an increasingly dynamic global trading environment, the breakfast provided a timely opportunity to consider where the next opportunities for UK–Qatar trade and investment may lie.

Ian Mason shared an overview of the current relationship between the two countries, highlighting the strength of existing investment and trade links and the continued importance of the UK and Qatar’s close economic partnership.

The discussion also touched on the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement, following the conclusion of negotiations earlier this year, and the potential opportunities this could create for businesses across the UK and Gulf.

For BCCQ members, the session provided valuable context around the changing international trading environment and the areas where British expertise and capability can continue to contribute to Qatar’s ambitious economic development.

Opportunities across emerging sectors

Ian’s presentation also highlighted a number of sectors where there are significant opportunities for UK businesses, including infrastructure and rail, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, creative industries and financial services.

Qatar’s continued investment in digital and AI infrastructure, alongside its wider ambitions across infrastructure, sport and culture, is creating opportunities for businesses with specialist expertise, technology and services.

The session also provided insight into the role of the DBT team at the British Embassy Doha and the practical support available to UK businesses looking to operate and grow internationally.

This includes support around areas such as market access, regulatory requirements, intellectual property and other challenges businesses may encounter when entering or developing within an overseas market.

Connecting business with opportunity

The breakfast forms part of BCCQ’s growing programme of business engagement designed to connect members with decision-makers, government representatives and organisations supporting UK-Qatar trade and investment. Speaking for the British Chamber of Commerce Qatar, Rupert Bastick, Vice-Chair said: 

“At BCCQ, we are committed to strengthening the relationship between the UK business community in Qatar, the British Embassy Doha and the Department for Business and Trade. Our role is to facilitate meaningful two-way dialogue, connecting our members with key representatives and creating opportunities to share insights, identify opportunities and address the issues that matter most to business.

We greatly value the close collaboration with the Embassy and DBT, which enables our members to hear directly from those working to advance UK-Qatar trade and investment, while ensuring that the experiences, priorities and ambitions of businesses are equally heard. By bringing these stakeholders together, BCCQ helps build stronger connections, encourage collaboration and support the continued growth of the UK-Qatar commercial relationship. Creating these opportunities for meaningful engagement is central to our role and to the value we provide to our members and the wider business community.”

For those considering joining BCCQ, events such as this provide an insight into the wider value of being part of the Chamber – not only through networking, but through access to conversations with organisations and individuals directly involved in supporting UK–Qatar business and trade.

Continuing the conversation

The Business Breakfast forms part of BCCQ’s growing programme of events designed to provide members with opportunities to connect, learn and do business across Qatar’s diverse business community. Please see below our diary of upcoming events which is updated regularly with new opportunities for us to bring our BCCQ network together. We look forward to welcoming you at an event soon.

We would like to thank Ian Mason and the Department for Business and Trade team at the British Embassy Doha for joining us and sharing their insight, and to all of our members and guests who took the time to attend.

Missed the breakfast?

If you were unable to join us on the morning, keep an eye on the BCCQ newsletter in the coming weeks, where Ian Mason will be sharing a dedicated recap of his presentation, including further insight into the UK–Qatar commercial relationship, the opportunities ahead and the work of DBT in supporting British businesses in Qatar.

The newsletter is circulated exclusively to BCCQ members via email every Thursday, so make sure you are subscribed and signed up to receive our weekly member communications.