Board members of Entrepreneurs Organisation Qatar at their recent meeting in Doha. EO has announced new plans to support the government’s diversification goals and growth target through boosting SMEs and new business ventures.

The Qatar Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO) has announced new plans to support the government’s economic goals for diversification and growth through SMEs and new business ventures.

The 2014-15 plan was approved at a board meeting at the Qatari Businessmen Association office at West Bay. The process began two months ago with a ‘strategy summit’ and focuses on three key priorities for the year.

These priorities will be implemented in a new yearly plan to engage a greater number of Qatari entrepreneurs, provide them with more learning opportunities, and increase collaboration with and support to government organisations such as Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Business Incubation Centre, Social Development Centre and Enterprise Qatar.

Patrick Forbes, president of Entrepreneurs Organisation Qatar, said EO would do this by playing a unique role in Qatar and draw on its members and their experiences to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

“EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. We are focused on peer-to-peer learning and support, which is something no other organisation can provide. The government has set objectives for SME growth, and our members are fully committed to playing a positive role and helping other entrepreneurs to succeed”, he said.

Efforts to engage a greater number of Qatari and expat entrepreneurs have resulted in strong membership growth, with an increase of 65% since June 2014. EO Qatar vice-president  Abdulsalam Abu Isa said the high calibre of members has been a key reason for new applications.

The chapter has created a busy calendar of learning events, led by learning chair Khalifa al-Haroon, giving members access to two events a month in addition to social meetings. EO members will be taking part in various activities organised by the Global Entrepreneurship Week, which will be held in mid-November.

A ‘CEO lunch’ series has started with an ‘inspirational talk’ by Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Thani that drew on his expertise as an advisory board member for the London Business School. The ‘Evening Workshop’ series has drawn talks by industry leaders such as Prof Amy Sanders of Northwestern University in Qatar, who gave a presentation on the tools and thinking needed to create a strategic social media plan. The events were widely attended by members of EO Qatar and figures from the local entrepreneurship ecosystem.

EO Qatar is the country chapter of EO Global, a dynamic network of more than 10,000 business owners in 46 countries with an average annual sales of $27mn. Members of EO Qatar are all self-made entrepreneurs and own successful businesses that meet global minimum revenue requirements. The organisation’s membership is a diverse mix of Qataris and expatriates from Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia.

The EO Qatar Chapter was established in 2009 and currently has more than 20 members who employ nearly 3,000 staff. Members of EO Qatar are involved in various sectors including public relations, legal services, hospitality, wireless communications, multi-media, on-line services, business process optimisation, publishing, consumer product manufacturing, retail, green technologies and renewable energy.

EO Qatar is established as a branch of the Qatar Businessmen Association.