Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB), in partnership with Dubai-based MENA Private Equity Association, is organizing a roundtable addressing the growing importance of SME’s to the region’s economic development, the challenges they face and the role of Private Equity in facilitating this growth.
The roundtable titled the ‘Challenges facing SMEs in the Region & the Role of Private Equity’ will be held on 21st May 2012 at the Al Sharq Hotel and Spa, Doha. A select group of experts, private equity practitioners and businesses from Qatar and across the region, will attend the invitation-only session.
With an aim to facilitate knowledge-sharing, the key points the roundtable will address include types of funding, exit-strategies, management support, legal structures and best-practice case studies in the SME industry in the region.
Stressing on the significance of SMEs in the region, Emad Mansour, CEO of QFIB commented, “Our aim through this roundtable is to exchange views and discuss in depth the important role SMEs are playing in driving the economic growth of the region. We intend to highlight the legal and administrative frameworks required for SME’s to thrive and study the challenges facing SMEs in our region. We also aim to look into the different ways Private Equity can drive this sector’s growth and push them to outperform and generate significant returns.”
QFIB, Qatar’s first independent shari’ah compliant investment bank authorised by the QFC Regulatory Authority, takes special interest in the SME sector. It aims to play a significant role in fostering the SME sector in Qatar. Most recently it has provided guidance and support to the Qatar Business Plan Competition organized by Enterprise Qatar in their efforts to nurture entrepreneurship.