Qatar Development Bank CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa has addressed members of Qatar Leadership Centre’s Rising Leaders Class of 2015-2016 as part of a special seminar series designed to provide participants with an opportunity to learn from prominent figures in Qatar’s development efforts.
Al-Khalifa highlighted QDB’s achievements and outlined the bank’s strategic initiatives intended to support the growth of Qatar’s private sector. During the discussion with the Rising Leaders, he provided an overview of QDB’s initiatives to help streamline processes and reduce the risks of establishing a new business in Qatar.
“Entrepreneurship is not easy; it takes commitment, innovation and hard work,” al-Khalifa stressed. “What we are trying to do at QDB is to improve the competitiveness of the private sector by removing obstacles for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar.
We want to help entrepreneurs make informed decisions by supporting them throughout the start-up phase, guiding them through the administrative process and providing them with financial support and access to investors.”
He also outlined QDB’s projects and how they form a support system for SMEs in Qatar. Among these are the single-window system and an easily accessible e-library QDB recently launched to allow for better use of technology, which can make processes easier and more effective.  
Qatar Leadership Centre regularly hosts senior Qatari decision-makers in seminars, which allow participants to learn leadership skills from respected public figures while gaining high-level insight into important sectors and issues related to the development of Qatar. The session with al-Khalifa was aimed at providing a better understanding of the importance of Qatar’s private sector as an essential element for moving toward the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Rising Leader Saoud Abdulla Jassim al-Mannai, business analyst at Tasweeq, noted: “The seminar expanded my understanding of the workings of the private sector and QDB’s strategic plans and aspirations to support the development of SMEs in Qatar. I was inspired by Mr Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa’s dedication in supporting Qataris and the private sector.”
Participant Bakhita Ali Mohamed al-Khabbash, a manager at Sidra Medical and Research Centre, said: “It was fascinating to learn about Qatar Development Bank’s strategy and how promoting small and medium enterprises contributes to Qatar’s economic progress.”