Doha: Invest Qatar, the country's Investment Promotion Agency, in partnership with MEDEF International, the international arm of the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), successfully hosted a high-level investment seminar in Paris, aimed at strengthening bilateral economic relations and fostering new trade and investment partnerships.
According to Qatar News Agency, the seminar was part of a business roadshow led by Invest Qatar, bringing together senior executives and decision-makers from leading French companies, industry associations, and financial institutions. The event provided a platform for attendees to explore Qatar's dynamic investment landscape and highlight opportunities for French businesses seeking regional expansion.
The programme included discussions on Qatar's economic diversification agenda and investor-friendly regulatory environment. Participants explored opportunities in high-growth sectors, such as IT, manufacturing, digital and financial services, and learned more about Qatar's strategic position as a gateway to regional and global markets.
Commenting on the roadshow, Fahad Ali Al Kuwari, Chief Investment Development Officer, Invest Qatar, emphasized France's strategic importance as a source of high-value investment for Qatar, particularly in sectors aligned with the national diversification agenda. Al Kuwari highlighted Qatar's focus on enabling French investors to deploy capital efficiently and capture long-term value within the country's growth trajectory. He noted that beyond market access, Qatar offers a coordinated ecosystem encompassing licensing, incentives, infrastructure, and aftercare to support scalable, long-term operations.
Philippe Gautier, Chief Executive Officer of MEDEF International, remarked on the strong and longstanding presence of French companies in Qatar across various sectors. He affirmed that as Qatar advances its economic diversification ambitions, French businesses are prepared to contribute their expertise, innovation, and long-term commitment to support the country's development priorities and create mutually beneficial partnerships.
The economic partnership between Qatar and France continues to thrive, underpinned by sustained project activity and an expanding pipeline of foreign direct investment. Qatar is home to 665 French companies, reflecting the robust bilateral economic relationship and the confidence of French industry in Qatar as a strategic regional hub.
Over the last decade (2017-2026), France has ranked among Qatar's top 5 foreign direct investment source countries, with 90 projects generating more than $7.5 billion in capital expenditure and creating over 7,400 jobs across sectors such as consumer goods, textiles, software and IT services, and business services. Data from Invest Qatar's FDI Project Monitor underscores the scale and continued growth of investment ties between the two countries.