To promote local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and increase domestic exports, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and six Qatari companies participated in “Index 2016 – International Design Exhibition” held recently in Dubai. The four-day event attracted many local and international visitors to the Qatari Pavilion hosted by QDB and its export arm, Tasdeer, providing the six SMEs exposure to global markets, according to QDB chief executive officer Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa. “QDB’s participation in Index 2016 aims to encourage Qatar’s private sector and help develop international export and import leads. Tasdeer has an important role of promoting local companies at international events and gives them access to world markets to showcase quality Qatari products, which is part of QDB’s aim to facilitate the presence of SMEs in local and global market,” he said. Al-Khalifa said QDB “plays a main role” in supporting economic diversification by enabling SMEs to gain global market expertise and market their products globally via “Tasdeer.” “Tasdeer provides financial solutions, credit insurances, and advisory services for Qatari exporters. It further supports businesses in developing their export capabilities through export development and promotion,” he said. Index 2016 is one of the largest exhibitions of internal and external design and “the most diverse” in the Middle East and North Africa region. The event attracts architects and designers from all internal and external design sectors, including the world’s most productive manufacturers, as well as suppliers of products and related services. Picture shows QDB officials at the Qatari Pavilion, which showcased products of six Qatar SMEs at “Index 2016.”