‘Big guns’ of Qatar’s industries join roundtable with PM

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivering a speech at the roundtable today. (Bernama pic)

DOHA: Estithmar Holding and Baladna, among Qatar’s largest companies by market capitalisation, attended a roundtable meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today, hosted by the investment, trade and industry ministry.

More than 30 top executives and business leaders took the opportunity to meet Anwar as he briefed them on Malaysia’s current investment climate, seeking to convince them about the nation as a preferred investment destination and competitive trade partner.

Baladna, a public shareholding company established in 2014, is Qatar’s largest dairy and beverage producer, supplying over 95% of the country’s fresh milk.

Estithmar Holding is a Qatari public-listed company with a diverse portfolio of 51 companies operating in four strategic sectors, namely healthcare, services, contracting and industries, as well as ventures.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, is on a three-day official visit to Qatar’s capital in hopes of increasing Malaysia’s visibility as a potential investment destination to Qataris.

The roundtable meeting with the industry captains was part of Putrajaya’s aggressive effort to attract more high-quality investments to the country.

The companies that attended the roundtable were mostly from the services, manufacturing and investment sectors.

Other companies that attended included Taleb Group, Morex Group, Tamam Capital and Al Mana Group.

Apart from attracting potential investments, the government is keen to woo more interest among Qatari businesses in sourcing more products and services from Malaysia.

The two countries embarked on a new phase of cooperation as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral trade this year.

Last year, Malaysia’s total bilateral trade with Qatar amounted to RM4.2 billion as the Gulf state became Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner, sixth-largest export destination and sixth-largest import source in West Asia.

From January to March this year, Malaysia’s total trade with Qatar increased by 178.4% to US$303.9 million (RM1.43 billion) compared with US$116.7 million (RM514.9 million) for the corresponding period in 2023.

According to the International Monetary Fund, Qatar is among the richest countries in the world, with a per capita income of nearly US$96,610 in 2020.

Petroleum and natural gas are reportedly the cornerstones of its economy, with Qatar home to one of the largest reserves of natural gas in the world. - FMT