Doha, May 07 (QNA) - Under the patronage of HE Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani, HE Chairman of Qatar Chamber and International Chamber of Commerce – Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani inaugurated the “Qatar Trade and Treasury Transformation Summit 2025” ( TTT Summit Qatar 2025) on Wednesday, in the presence of HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Mohammed bin Hassan Al Malki, along with a large gathering of business owners, experts, speakers, and participants from around the world.

 Organized by Qatar Chamber and the International Chamber of Commerce – Qatar (ICC Qatar) and co-organized by MERGE Events, for the 1st time in Qatar, the summit discussed the modern trends and views in the trade and treasury sector, digital transformation in banking operations and its role in enhancing corporate treasury capabilities through innovative and intelligent cash and payment solutions.

The event aimed to foster innovation and accelerate digital development in Qatar.

Speaking at the inaugural session, HE Chairman of Qatar Chamber and ICC Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani affirmed that the summit reflects the State of Qatar’s commitment to investing in a knowledge-based economy, pursued through a strategic plan rooted in innovation, efficiency, and flexibility—placing Qatar at the forefront among leading nations in this field.

His Excellency expressed his confidence that the summit would serve as a platform for open dialogue and frank discussions on the future of trade and finance that go beyond theory and go deeper into implementation for the benefit of institutions and communities alike.

He also affirmed the Qatar Chamber’s and ICC Qatar’s conviction that the private sector is best qualified to set global business standards that foster innovation and drive development in the financial and commercial sectors.

His Excellency noted that the summit's working sessions address key areas such as the digitization of trade finance, treasury transformation, cross-border payments, and the key role of artificial intelligence in enhancing the capabilities of treasury professionals in both large and small companies, along with other factors that foster a culture of financial planning and sound institutional investment.

For his part, HE Undersecretary of MOCI, Mohammed bin Hassan Al Malki, stated that the summit serves as a strategic platform for exchanging expertise and discussing the future of business and digital transformation in the finance sector and smart commerce.

He emphasized that it also provides an opportunity to explore the best practices and adopt innovative solutions that contribute to building a sustainable future.

HE the Undersecretary of MOCI added that the world is witnessing an unprecedented acceleration in the adoption of modern technologies and rapid developments in fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies, and interconnected financial services, which compels nations and institutions to work towards being at the forefront of this transformation.

He emphasized that, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, the State of Qatar places great importance on building a flexible and integrated commercial, industrial, and financial system based on the highest standards of innovation, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and balanced, stable economic policies.

Al Malki also noted that over the past years, Qatar has actively invested in developing its technological infrastructure to embrace emerging technologies, keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and attract more investment in this field.

"Technological transformation and innovation lie at the heart of the country’s national strategies, serving as key pillars in the restructuring of the national economy and the transition toward a digital, efficient, and sustainable future," His Excellency added.

Al Malki stressed the pivotal role of the private sector in supporting the economic, industrial, and commercial systems by focusing on innovation and keeping pace with the technological revolution.

He added: "We look forward to the constructive discussions during this summit, which we believe will foster fruitful partnerships and drive sustainable transformation in trade and treasury, ultimately enhancing our global competitiveness and advancing our sustainable development goals."

Titled "Qatar’s Growing Firepower as a Trading Nation," the summit’s 1st panel included the following speakers: Board Member of Qatar Chamber, Mohammad bin Ahmad Al Obaidly; Founder and Chairman of Al Sulaiti Law Firm, Mubarak Al Sulaiti; Chairman of AbuIssa Holding, Ashraf AbuIssa; and Executive General Manager and Chief Wholesale and International Banking Officer at Commercial Bank Qatar, Fahad Badar.

In his remarks, Board Member of Qatar Chamber, Mohammad bin Ahmad Al Obaidly emphasized that integrating digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and financial and banking systems plays a vital role in laying a solid foundation for bold investments and global partnerships.

He highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in enhancing Qatar’s trade competitiveness.

Al Obaidly stressed that the State of Qatar has solidified its position as a leading global trade hub and boosted its economic impact as a key partner in international trade and investment, highlighting that this was achieved through various mechanisms, including legislative and regulatory reforms, energy diversification and sustainability, and the development of advanced infrastructure and logistics.

He pointed to the progress the country has made in the areas of technological infrastructure, innovation, and the development of the telecommunications sector, as well as the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He also highlighted the adoption of blockchain technology for secure and decentralized commercial transactions and supply chain management, along with a strong focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the development of research and development strategies in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

For his part, Chairman of AbuIssa Holding, Ashraf AbuIssa emphasized the importance of fostering economic and trade cooperation with countries in the region, particularly Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

He also highlighted the need to explore new global markets considering current economic challenges and to capitalize on the significant progress Qatar has achieved in sectors such as communications, media, tourism, industry, and others.

On the other hand, Founder and Chairman of Al Sulaiti Law Firm, Mubarak Al Sulaiti discussed the legal and legislative environment for business in Qatar, emphasizing that laws and regulations are integral to trade and economic activity.

He highlighted the importance of organizing the Qatar Trade and Treasury Transformation Summit as a platform to present ideas and visions in light of global economic developments.

In turn, Executive General Manager and Chief Wholesale and International Banking Officer at Commercial Bank Qatar, Fahad Badar, highlighted Commercial Bank Qatar’s efforts in the fintech sector, particularly its commitment to developing and implementing innovative financial solutions in alignment with the Qatar Fintech Strategy 2023 launched by the Qatar Central Bank

Titled 'Tackling Money Laundering, Sanctions, and Fraud', the 2nd panel session's discussions focused on legal mechanisms to combat money laundering and the significant importance that Qatari legislators place on addressing financial crimes, emphasizing the country's commitment to leveraging technological advancements in this area.

In his remarks, HE Member of the Board of Directors for International Relations at the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration, Dr. Sheikh Thani Al-Thani reviewed the key legal mechanisms regulating anti-money laundering efforts in Qatar, specifically referring to Law No. 20 of 2019.

His Excellency also outlined the restrictions and obligations placed on professionals, including lawyers, in the country's fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

Titled 'The Future of Trade Finance: Reaping the Rewards of Digital Transformation', the 3rd panel session included speakers: Head of MENA at SWIFT Alaa Al Rousan; Head of Transaction Banking at Commercial Bank Qatar, Venkata Surya Prasad Indraganti; Senior Vice President of Corporate Solutions and Head of EEMEA at Mastercard, Clyde Rosanowski; and CEO of CargoX, Bojan Cekrlic.

Titled 'Treasury Transformation - Moving from Theory to Reality' and moderated by Lead Solutions and Global Sales Consultant at Finastra, George Tataru, the 4th session featured a distinguished group of speakers, including: Chief Treasury and International Banking Officer at Ahli Bank, Derek Kwok; General Manager/Group Treasurer and Financial Institutions at Al Rayan Bank, Tahir Pirzada; Chief Treasury and Investments Officer at Doha Bank, Dr. Fawad Ishaq; Founder and Managing Partner of Dr. Ghada M. Darwish Karbon Law Firm, Dr. Ghada Mohammed Darwish Karbon; and Head of the Economics and Finance Department at Qatar University, Dr. Alanoud Al Maadid.

In her remarks, Head of the Economics and Finance Department at Qatar University, Dr. Alanoud Al Maadid reviewed several research studies related to the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, highlighting the legal framework and the interaction with AI and FinTech that can streamline procedures and support sound decision-making.

For his part, General Manager/Group Treasurer and Financial Institutions at Al Rayan Bank,Tahir Pirzada discussed liquidity management and the role of technology in enabling predictive analytics to enhance overall liquidity performance, emphasizing the need for institutions to modernize their systems and integrate innovative solutions.

In turn, Chief Treasury and International Banking Officer at Ahli Bank, Derek Kwok addressed the legislative challenges associated with risk management, underscoring the importance of organizational alignment during the digital transformation journey.

Meanwhile, Founder and Managing Partner of Dr. Ghada M. Darwish Karbon Law Firm, Dr. Ghada Mohammed Darwish Karbon emphasized that trade and treasury transformation are fundamentally tied to legal and legislative development, pointing out that the main challenge lies in ensuring that existing laws and regulations keep pace with advancements in the sector. She also shed light on several legal frameworks and reforms recently enacted.

Titled "Empowering Women - Trade and Treasury in the MENA Region", the 5th session featured: Chairman Advisor at Just Real Estate, Dr. Bothaina Al Ansari; Founder and Chairwoman of Mashael Al Sulaiti Law Firm, Mashael Mohammed Al Sulaiti; Head of Regulatory Affairs at the Qatar Financial Centre, Maha Al Saadi; and Head of Trade and Working Capital at Barclays Bank, Fatenah Al Danab.

The 6th session was titled "Optimizing Islamic Factoring Operations: Modern Workflow Solutions", while the 7th session was titled "Cross-Border Payments: From Instant Payments and Blockchain Payments to Embedded FX". (QNA)