On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Swiss Confederation and the United Arab Emirates, a high-level delegation from the United Arab Emirates visited the Swiss capital, Bern, at the beginning of March last year. The delegation was led by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and included several meetings with Swiss officials, including Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs H.E. Helen Budliger Artieda.

In addition to government officials, the UAE delegation included top executives from companies representing high-growth industries such as banking and finance, aviation, trade, investment, healthcare, and advanced technology, including representatives from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Chamber, Emirates Airlines, M42, Abu Dhabi-based Global Healthcare Services, Emirates Insurance Company, Ajman Chamber of Commerce, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Hub71, and others.

The delegation also visited leading Swiss private sector companies, including the headquarters of Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, where they discussed partnership prospects, particularly with the newly established Emirates Pharmaceuticals Foundation in the UAE, of which Dr. Al Zeyoudi is the Chairman of the Board. The tours also included Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., a Swiss aircraft manufacturing company collaborating with the Emirati company Strata to enhance advanced manufacturing capabilities in the country and support its knowledge-based economy.

Furthermore, a celebration marking this occasion was organized under the sponsorship of the UAE Embassy in Bern, attended by the high-level Emirati delegation, Swiss officials led by the H.E. Helen Budliger Artieda, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, and representatives of leading companies and investors from both countries to explore high-potential investment and partnership opportunities.

The meeting was opened by Michel Lane, President of the Swiss Business Council. The meeting included speeches from Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, Helen Budliger Artieda, Swiss Minister of Economy, and Dr. Hissa Abdulla Ahmed Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

During the celebration, achievements in Emirati-Swiss relations were reviewed, and the meeting served as an opportunity to showcase the advantages each country offers to investors, business owners, and projects.

In his address during the forum, Dr. Al Zeyoudi, emphasized Switzerland's role as an important trading and investment partner for the UAE. He highlighted Switzerland as the leading European destination for non-oil Emirati exports, ranking fourth globally with a value of $9.5 billion in 2023. He noted that the trade volume between the two countries exceeded $22.3 billion in 2023, representing a 41.2% increase from 2022 and confirming the synergy between their economies. He affirmed that Switzerland shares the UAE's vision for sustainable long-term economic growth built on knowledge and innovation, providing a platform for deeper cooperation. By combining the public and private sectors, he emphasized that the Emirati-Swiss Economic Forum is one of the best ways to identify and explore these opportunities, build connections, and networks that will support another 50 years of positive relations between the UAE and Switzerland.

He also pointed out areas of Emirati-Swiss cooperation in various fields such as alternative fuels, trade finance, biotechnology, and medical technology research, aiming for greater economic integration. He promoted the benefits of the dynamic business landscape in the UAE to attract Swiss companies seeking to expand into Asian and African markets, including its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and logistical capabilities. The Swiss cybersecurity company ZENDATA is a recent addition to the NextGen program for foreign direct investment, which helps innovative companies from around the world establish or expand their operations in the UAE[1].

In his intervention, the Minister of Trade emphasized that the trade sector in the UAE has grown by 3% over the past three years, highlighting the UAE's reliance on three pillars: technology, human capital, and market access. Regarding technology, the aim is to serve human being, focusing on sectors such as healthcare, education, and aviation. Concerning human capital, the UAE works on attracting talents through its immigration system, attracting many entrepreneurs and investors. Regarding market access, the UAE strives for diversity and has signed 14 free trade agreements in the past decade. It is also part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and it recognizes the importance of investing in emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Additionally, there is a focus on the service sector as a game changer, with the UAE being a global hub for re-export, connecting with 400 cities worldwide. The UAE is also considered one of five green hubs for global trade, facilitating trade in rice and diamonds.

Rashed AlBlooshi, the undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, highlighted the advantages of investing in the UAE, where the GDP reaches around $500 billion. The UAE has a future vision for a knowledge-based economy, with flourishing sectors including industry, pharmaceuticals, and finance, along with developments in aerospace, medical technology, and the environment.

Tariq Al Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary of Advanced Technology at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, emphasized the competitiveness of the UAE's economy, which ranks first in the region. The industrial sector has witnessed significant growth, with industrial exports reaching around $47 billion, including petroleum refining, chemicals, and steel industries. Incentives for investors include competitive energy prices, availability of clean energy, central geographic location, land availability, robust infrastructure for communications and transportation, low tax rates, human capital, financial incentives, and a stable political environment.

During her address at the forum, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helen Budliger Artieda, affirmed the available opportunities in Switzerland for the business community, emphasizing that Switzerland enjoys one of the most prosperous economies. Stability is one of the distinguishing factors of Switzerland, along with a good regulatory environment. She added that transparency, neutrality, and predictable environment are crucial factors that strengthen the Swiss economy. She also pointed out important economic sectors in Switzerland, such as intellectual property rights, innovation, and technology. The significance of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was highlighted as it provides international dimension to the Swiss economy. She highlighted that one of the main characteristics of governance in Switzerland is the partnership between the public and private sectors, with the government adopting policies that involve citizens in decision-making processes. Switzerland benefits from a multicultural and multilingual environment, with one of the strongest universities and scientific institutes. She added that the Swiss government invests in basic research and supports startups through incubators and accelerators. Switzerland also boasts one of the best dual education and training systems globally, with statistics showing that one in three students pursues higher education, with the majority opting for vocational training. Switzerland spends around 5.6% of its GDP on education.

On the other hand, the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was emphasized, as Swiss companies operate internationally due to the small domestic market. Major global companies have branches in Switzerland due to its competitive environment. Switzerland also assists Swiss companies in expanding into foreign markets through its institution “Switzerland Global Enterprise”. The Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs highlighted the strong partnership between Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, considering the UAE as a key partner for Switzerland in the region.

At the end of the forum, a joint panel was held with experts from both sides and participation from Swiss and Emirati companies. They emphasize the need of utilizing available expertise from both sides regarding best practices to facilitate the entry of companies into new markets. The economic model of Hong Kong has been cited as one of the successful models. Future prospects for cooperation, especially in the development of artificial intelligence and research and development, were also addressed.

In conclusion, the importance of cross-border partnership was affirmed, reflected in the strong and long-standing bilateral relations between Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, benefiting both countries.

[1] The NEXTGEN FDI program is a national initiative launched by the Ministry of Economy. The initiative aims to attract digital companies from around the world and provide them with the necessary fundamentals to enter the market and expand within the United Arab Emirates.

أُقيم في 12 ايلول/سبتمبر لقاء تحت عنوان "صُنعَ لتجارة مباشرة" في غرفة التجارة والصناعة والخدمات بجنيف (CCIG) الذي تم تنظيمه بالتعاون بين مجلس الأعمال السويسري في الإمارات (Swiss Business Council UAE) وغرفة التجارة والصناعة والخدمات بجنيف (CCIG) وشركة مجموعة سويسرا (Swiss Group)، حيث تم التأكبد على العلافات القوية التي تربط بين هاتين القوتين الاقتصاديتين، كما أنه قدم رؤى مهمة حول عالم الأعمال والتجارة. في هذا المقال، سنستكشف أبرز ما ورد في هذا اللقاء، الذي شهد مشاركة متحدثين بارزين ومناقشات قيمة، بالإضافة إلى استعراض الفرص المستقبلية للتعاون عبر الحدود.

بدأ اللقاء بكلمة افتتاحية من مايكل لين (Michael Lane)، رئيس مجلس الأعمال السويسري في الإمارات. أكد لين على القوانين والمبادئ الثمانية التي وضعها الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم حاكم دبي، والتي كانت حاسمة في ازدهار دبي وتحويلها إلى مدينة حديثة. هذه المبادئ تشمل أهمية الوحدة وسيادة القانون ورعاية المواهب، وقد نمت دبي بفضلها لتصبح مركزًا عالميًا للأعمال.

كلمات الترحيب:

ألقى أحمد بن سليم، الرئيس التنفيذي لمركز دبي للسلع المتعددة (DMCC)، كلمة ترحيب سلّط من خلالها الضوء على مزايا إجراء الأعمال في الإمارات. أشار سليم إلى الدور المحوري لـمركز دبي كوجهة للشركات الأجنبية، وشدد على سهولة الإجراءات الإدارية في المركز. كما أكد التزام المركز بتيسير نمو الأعمال، من خلال استخدام وسائل حديثة كنظام أوراكل المحوسب الذي يهدف إلى تبسيط المهام الإدارية.

وفيما يتعلق بالعلاقة المتبادلة بين سويسرا والإمارات، أشار سليم إلى دور سويسرا كمركز للمنظمات الدولية مثل منظمة الأمم المتحدة للملكية الفكرية (WIPO) ومنظمة التجارة العالمية (WTO). كما تناول الفرص الكبيرة المتاحة وأورد مثالا لذلك المنتجات المتوافقة مع الشريعة داخل المركز، مما يفتح الباب أمام سوق أوسع عالميا.

من جهة أخرى، أكد جاسم العبدولي، القنصل العام لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، على علاقات التجارة الراسخة بين سويسرا والإمارات. أشار العبدولي إلى النمو الكبير في العلاقات الثنائية على مدى السنوات الـ15 الماضية، مع وصول دولة الإمارات لمرتبة أهم شريك تجاري لسويسرا في الشرق الأوسط. وأشار أيضًا إلى الاتفاقيات الرئيسية، بما في ذلك اتفاقية حماية الاستثمار المتبادل، والوصول المتبادل لحاملي جواز السفر الدبلوماسي بدون تأشيرة، واتفاقيات الازدواج الضريبي، واتفاقية التجارة الحرة بين جمعية التجارة الحرة الأوروبية (EFTA) ومجلس التعاون الخليجي. وألقى العبدولي الضوء على القطاعات الرئيسية للتعاون، بما في ذلك الابتكار والتكنولوجيا الحيوية والطاقة المتجددة والتكنولوجيا النظيفة.

مركز دبي للسلع المتعددة كمنطقة حرة عالمية لهذا العام:

قدم باسل بيتار، الممثل الإقليمي للمركز لمنطقة آسيا وشرق أوروبا، نظرة شاملة على العروض المتوفرة في المركز والتي ادت الى فوزه بلقب "منطقة حرة عالمية للعام" لثماني مرات على التوالي وفقا للتصنيف الهاص بمجلة الاستثمار الأجنبي المباشر لصحيفة فاينانشيال تايمز، وهو يعتبر المركز العالمي الرئيسي لتجارة السلع. حيث يقع المركز في قلب دبي، ويقدم مجتمعًا نابضًا بالحياة وخدمات عالية المستوى وعقارات ممتازة مع توافر بنى تحتية ممتازة للاتصالات والمواصلات.

أبرز بيتار الدور الحيوي للمركز في تسهيل التجارة في منتجات مثل القهوة والماس. يقدم المركز ميزات فريدة كالإعفاء من الضرائب لمدة 50 عامًا، مما يجعله وجهة جذابة للشركات. كما شدد على التنوع الثقافي الذي يسود الحياة داخل المركز الذي يضم أكثر من 100,000 نسمة من مختلف أنحاء العالم.

القيام بالأعمال في الإمارات من منظور سويسري:

استعرض روبرتو ديلورينزي (Roberto Delorenzi)، الشريك المدير لشركة الاستشارات السويسرية (Swiss Group Advisory)، تجربة اداء الأعمال في الإمارات من منظور سويسري. وقد أكد على نمو العلاقات السويسرية الإماراتية، مشيرًا إلى أن سويسرا احتلت المرتبة الرابعة من حيث استثمارات الأجنبية المباشرة في دبي في عام 2022. ديلورينزي سلط الضوء على مزايا إنشاء كيان للشركة في الإمارات، بما في ذلك النظام القانوني الملائم، والبنية التحتية المتقدمة، والموقع الجغرافي القريب، والاقتصاد القوي.

تطرق أيضًا إلى أنواع مختلفة من الشركات المتاحة في الإمارات، مثل الشركات المحلية (البر الرئيسي) وشركات المناطق الحرة البرية وشركات المناطق الحرة البحرية. شدد على أهمية سياسات التوظيف المحلية وقوانين الضرائب الشركاتية القادمة. أكد وجود اتفاقية معدلة لتجنب الازدواج الضريبي بين سويسرا والإمارات، مما يوفر إطارًا واضحًا للضرائب.

شهادات وقصص نجاح:

ضم اللقاء شهادات ملهمة من قادة الأعمال الذين ازدهرت اعمالهم في الإمارات. شارك رينيه جوتز (Rene Goetz)، الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة Areas SA، رحلته من مدرب تنس إلى خبير تأمين شركات، مما يبرز الفرص المتنوعة المتاحة لأصحاب الأعمال في الإمارات.

بالإضافة إلى ذلك، تم عرض مقابلة فيديو مع مايكل لاهياني (Michael Lahyani)، مؤسس والرئيس التنفيذي لشركة "اعثر على عقارك" (Propertyfinder)، حيث تم فيها تناول قصة نجاح رائد أعمال في قطاع العقارات في دبي. أثنى لاهياني على البنية التحتية في دبي، وتنوع مواردها البشرية، وجودة الحياة، والشعور العام بالأمان الذي ساهم في نمو شركته بشكل ملحوظ.

اختتم الاجتماع بجلسة نقاش استضافت متحدثين مختلفين من مجتمع الأعمال السويسري الحاضر في الإمارات، مما فتح المجال لنقاش مفتوح حول مزايا وتحديات الشركات التي تعمل في المنطقة. قدم خلال الجلسة بيتر إم. هارادين (Peter M. Harradine)، الرئيس الفخري لمجلس الأعمال السويسري في الإمارات، شهادة متميزة مبنيةً على تجاربه الشخصية من العيش في دولة عربية وإسلامية. حيث أكد على التسامح الملحوظ للإسلام تجاه الديانات الأخرى، مسلطًا الضوء على جانب من المجتمع الإسلامي غالبًا ما يتجاهله الإعلام.

رؤية للتعاون المستقبلي

كان اللقاء "صُنِعَ لتجارة مباشرة" عبارة عن شهادة على الشراكة المستدامة بين سويسرا ودولة الإمارات. تم خلاله اماطة اللثام عن الفرص الواسعة التي تنتظر الشركات في دولة الإمارات، وخاصة لدى مركز دبي للسلع المتعددة، كمنطقة حرة عالمية ناجحة. لقد أكد اللقاء على أهمية التعاون الاستراتيجي وممارسات الأعمال الجيدة، والقيم المشتركة للابتكار والاستدامة التي تربط بين البلدين الذين يتمتعان بحركة مستمرة في بيئة الأعمال. ومع استمرار تطور عالم الأعمال، يعتبر هذا الحدث تذكيرًا بأن دولة الإمارات وسويسرا ملتزمتين بتعزيز النمو الاقتصادي والتعاون المشترك عبر الحدود.

On September 12, the 'Made for Trade Live' event took place at Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services (CCIG). The event, a collaborative effort between the Swiss Business Council UAE, Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG) and the Swiss Group, showcased the profound synergies between these two economic powerhouses and provided invaluable insights into the world of business and trade. In this article, we delve into the highlights of this event, featuring distinguished speakers, invaluable discussions, and the promising future of cross-border collaboration.

The event commenced with an insightful opening speech by Michael Lane, President of the Swiss Business Council UAE. Lane emphasized the visionary 8 Principles of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Governance, which have been instrumental in Dubai's transformation into a modern and prosperous city. These principles, including the importance of union, the rule of law, and nurturing talent, have underpinned Dubai's journey to becoming a global business hub.

Welcome Remarks:

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), followed with welcoming remarks that shed light on the advantages of conducting business in the UAE. Sulayem highlighted DMCC's pivotal role as a center for foreign companies, emphasizing its ease of administrative procedures. He underscored DMCC's commitment to facilitating business growth, and its innovative Oracle system tailored to streamline administrative tasks.

Furthermore, Sulayem emphasized the symbiotic relationship between Switzerland and the UAE, citing Switzerland's role as a hub for international organizations like WIPO and WTO. He also discussed the significant opportunity presented by Sharia-compliant products within DMCC, opening doors to a broader market.

Jasim Alabdouli, General Consul of the United Arab Emirates, underscored the robust trade ties between Switzerland and the UAE. Alabdouli highlighted the substantial growth in bilateral relations over the last 15 years, with the UAE emerging as Switzerland's most vital trading partner in the Middle East. He also mentioned key agreements, including those on mutual protection of investments, reciprocal visa-free access for holders of a diplomatic passport, double taxation and the free trade agreement between EFTA and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Alabdouli shed light on the key sectors of cooperation, which encompass innovation, biotechnology, renewable energy and clean technology.

DMCC, Global Free Zone of the Year:

Bassel Bitar, Regional Representative – Asia and Eastern Europe, DMCC, provided a comprehensive overview of DMCC's offerings. DMCC, crowned 'Global Free Zone of the Year' eight times by the Financial Times FDI Magazine, stands as the world's premier free zone and a global commodities trading hub. Situated at the heart of Dubai, DMCC offers a vibrant community, world-class services, and prime properties with excellent connectivity.

Bitar highlighted DMCC's pivotal role in facilitating trade for products like coffee and diamonds. DMCC offers a unique advantage with a 50-year tax exemption, making it an attractive destination for businesses. He emphasized the thriving multicultural community within DMCC, comprising 100,000 residents from across the globe.

Doing Business in the UAE from a Swiss Perspective:

Roberto Delorenzi, Managing Partner of Swiss Group Advisory DMCC, explored the Swiss perspective of doing business in the UAE/Dubai. He emphasized the burgeoning Swiss-Emirati relations, noting that Switzerland ranked fourth in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Dubai in 2022. Delorenzi outlined the advantages of establishing a presence in the UAE, including a favorable legal system, advanced infrastructure, geographic proximity, and a robust economy.

Delorenzi also delved into the various types of company setups available in the UAE, such as local (mainland) companies, onshore free zone companies, and offshore free zone companies. He highlighted the importance of Emiratisation policies and upcoming corporate tax laws. Delorenzi stressed the existence of a Double Taxation Agreement between Switzerland and the UAE, offering businesses a clear framework for taxation.

Testimonials:

The event featured inspiring testimonials from business leaders who have thrived in the UAE. Rene Goetz, CEO of Areas SA, shared his journey from a tennis coach to a corporate insurance expert, showcasing the diverse opportunities available in the UAE's business landscape.

Additionally, a video interview with Michael Lahyani, Founder & CEO of Propertyfinder, provided valuable insights into the success story of a visionary entrepreneur in Dubai's real estate sector. Lahyani praised Dubai's infrastructure, diverse talent pool, quality of life, and the overall sense of security that has contributed to his company's remarkable growth.

The meeting concluded with a panel discussion featuring various speakers from Switzerland's business community engaged with the UAE, facilitating an open debate on the advantages and challenges facing companies operating in the region. Notably, Peter M. Harradine, Honorary President of the Swiss Business Council UAE, delivered a particularly conciliatory testimony based on his firsthand experiences of living in an Arab and Muslim country. He emphasized the remarkable tolerance of Islam towards other religions, shedding light on an aspect of Islamic society that is often overlooked in media discourse.

A Vision for Future Collaboration

Made For Trade Live Event was a testament to the enduring partnership between Switzerland and the UAE. It brought to the forefront the vast opportunities awaiting businesses in the UAE, particularly within DMCC, a thriving global free zone. The event underscored the importance of strategic collaboration, sound business practices, and the shared values of innovation and sustainability that bind these two dynamic regions.

As the business world continues to evolve, this event serves as a reminder that the UAE and Switzerland are committed to fostering economic growth and cross-border cooperation.

فن الحرب" هو كتاب استراتيجية عسكرية كلاسيكي كتبه الجنرال الصيني سون تزو في القرن الخامس قبل الميلاد. يتكون الكتاب من 13 فصلًا، يركز كل منها على جوانب مختلفة من الحرب، مثل التخطيط والتكتيكات والقيادة.

يؤكد سون تزو على أهمية التحضير وفهم نقاط القوة والضعف الخاصة بالفرد وكذلك تلك الموجودة لدى العدو. كما يشدد على أهمية استخدام الخداع والمرونة للحصول على مزايا على ساحة المعركة.

واحدة من المفاهيم الأكثر شهرة في الكتاب هي فكرة "الفوز بدون قتال"، حيث يتم تحقيق النصر من خلال التخطيط الاستراتيجي والتحركات بدلاً من الصراع المباشر.

بشكل عام، يوفر كتاب "فن الحرب" نظرات قيمة حول طبيعة الحرب ودروس لكل من الاستراتيجيين العسكريين وقادة الأعمال والسياسيين.

الأفكار الرئيسية لكتاب "فن الحرب":

1. التحضير: يؤكد سون تزو على أهمية التحضير والتخطيط قبل الذهاب إلى المعركة. يعتقد أن النجاح في الحرب يتم تحديده قبل بدء المعركة، من خلال عوامل مثل تحليل التضاريس والطقس ونشر القوات.
2. فهم نقاط القوة والضعف: يشدد سون تزو على أهمية فهم نقاط القوة والضعف الخاصة بالفرد وكذلك تلك الموجودة لدى العدو. يقترح أن الجنرال الذي يعرف نفسه وعدوه سيفوز بالمعارك، بينما الجنرال الذي يعرف نفسه فقط أو عدوه سيفوز فقط في نصف الوقت.
3. المرونة: يشجع سون تزو على المرونة في المعركة، مقترحًا أن يكون الجنرال قادرًا على التكيف مع التغيرات وضبط استراتيجياته وفقًا لذلك. يؤكد على أهمية عدم الارتباط بأي خطة واحدة بشكل زائد، والقدرة على تغيير الخطط استجابة لمعلومات جديدة.
4. الخداع: يناقش سون تزو أهمية استخدام الخداع والتضليل في الحرب. يقترح أن يكون الجنرال قادرًا على إخفاء الحقيقة عن العدو من خلال تكتيكات مثل الخداع، والانسحابات الزائفة، وخلق مظاهر زائفة للقوة أو الضعف.
5. الفوز بدون قتال: المفهوم الأكثر شهرة لسون تزو هو فكرة "الفوز بدون قتال". يقترح أن الهدف النهائي للحرب ليس تدمير العدو، ولكن تحقيق النصر بأقل قدر من الخسائر البشرية والموارد. يدعو إلى استخدام تكتيكات مختلفة وتشمل العديد من الاستراتيجيات والتكتيكات التي يمكن استخدامها في الحرب، مثل الاستخدام الذكي للقوة العسكرية، والتناقض في السلوك والتحركات، والتغلب على العدو دون مواجهة مباشرة، والاستغلال الذكي لنقاط ضعف العدو، وتخفيض خسائر جيشك، والتأكيد على الدفاع عن القوة والهجوم بشكل متزامن، وتقليل الوقت الذي يقضيه الجيش في الحرب، وتفادي الحرب إذا كان ذلك ممكنًا.

بشكل عام، يوفر "فن الحرب" دليلًا شاملًا لإستراتيجية الحرب التي كان لها تأثير كبير على مدى القرون. لقد تم تطبيق تعاليمها ليس فقط في الحرب ولكن أيضا في المجالات الأخرى مثل الأعمال التجارية والسياسة والعديد من المجالات الأخرى.

Qatar has the fifth largest economy in the Arab World (After Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Iraq). The country's GDP has been growing steadily between 2010 and 2014, increasing from $125 billion to more than $206 billion in four years. Qatar's economy is driven primarily by the oil and gas industry. It holds the third largest gas reserves in the world (estimated at 12% of the global total in 2021) behind Russia and Iran. The Emirate’s economy is thus heavily concentrated in the gas industry, which represents two-thirds of its GDP and almost 80% of export earnings. Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry has attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment and made Qatar the world’s largest exporter of this commodity.

The country enjoys one of the highest GNI per capita in the world (about $65,000 according to IMF projections for 2022) and has a high-spending consumer population. By boosting its liquified natural gas (LNG) capacity by about 40% in the coming years, Qatar’s wealth will keep increasing.

Although economic diversification represents a long-term challenge, Qatar has a large resource base that can be used to boost development of non-hydrocarbon sectors.

Source: 1. seco, 2. OECD, data for 2021 (oecd), 3. OECD, data for 2022.

Qatar is hosting the World Cup which serves as a vehicle to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), a government initiative to transform Qatar into a global society and provide a higher standard of living. According to this plan, the projects to be performed are intended to promote post-tournament sustainability. The World Cup is expected to positively contribute to the country's domestic economic activity, the construction sector in particular is booming.

Investment climate in Qatar

Among the major advantages of Qatar's investment climate are the country's competitive economy, national currency (that is characterized by a very stable exchange rate), high quality infrastructure, and a very favourable tax environment. In addition, Qatar has two economic zones that offer special benefits to foreign businesses - the Qatar Financial Center (QFC) and the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). Qatar's well-developed financial sector can also be regarded as an advantageous feature of the country's investment climate. The country has big interest in attracting high-tech products and services to its market. Among the main disadvantages of Qatar's investment climate are relatively small market size and strong reliance of the economy on the public sector. (Reserve your copy of the Doing Business Guide for Qatar link).

Qatar-Switzerland Economic Relations

Qatar and Switzerland will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2023. Culturally, the two are worlds apart, but both are small countries that play an outsized role in international politics and business.

According to State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Qatar is Switzerland's 5^th largest trading partner in the Middle East (the United Arab Emirates tops the list) (or 63^rd place internationally), with a trade volume totalling CHF708 million ($715 million) in 2021 (trade was down a whopping 52% compared to 2020). According to SECO the volume of trade for the first nine months of the current year already amounts to around two billion francs. Historically trade volume has increased considerably with an upward trend during the last two decades.


Source: Swiss Federal Office for Customs.

The flow of goods mainly goes in one direction, from Switzerland to Qatar. Imports from Qatar, on the other hand, are negligible, in particular because Switzerland is not a buyer of the main Qatari export resource: gas. The two countries have created the necessary framework conditions for increased economic exchanges through a set of agreements such as investment protection, double taxation, free trade (through the GCC and the EFTA) and air transport.

Benefiting from a free trade agreement (through the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Free Trade Association), a double taxation agreement and an investment protection agreement, economic relations between Switzerland and Qatar come under comprehensive bilateral framework conditions.
Watches and jewellery, precious metals and pharmaceuticals accounted for most exports to the emirate (Federal Office for Customs).


Source: Swiss Federal Office for Customs.



Source: Swiss Federal Office for Customs.

In a sign of the importance it attaches to doing business in Qatar, the Swiss Business Hub, which offers help to Swiss companies looking to establish a presence in foreign markets, has its Middle East office in the Qatari capital. Some 30 Swiss firms in Qatar employ around 1,000 people in the country. The majority of Swiss companies present in Qatar are suppliers in the field of infrastructure and energy. The customer base includes the oil and gas sector, the petrochemical industry as well as water and wastewater management. There we can find for example Endress + Hauser, the specialist in measuring instruments, Nestlé, industrial group ABB, Holcim, Georg Fischer for Watches, Sika in the chemical industry (Watson) and Glencore¹ Switzerland is interested to launch a dialogue with the local companies and the authorities on new technologies, such as in the area of cybersecurity.

Recently top officials from both countries have held meetings during a forum called the Swiss-Qatar Mixed Commission in September 2022. The Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer and Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, met in Zurich, to talk economic opportunities according to the business federation economiesuisse. In the midst of an energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, the purchase of liquefied natural gas from the world’s biggest exporter was a major topic, with the Qataris reportedly open to supplying the Swiss market (economiesuisse). Also different aspects of the real economy were discussed during the different meetings. Qatar is very interested in Swiss know-how. In view of the Football World Cup, Qatar is planning to modernize the construction sector and make it more sustainable, as significant sums will continue to be invested in infrastructure. A large water recycling plant is currently planned. This is exciting news for Swiss companies that are at the forefront of this field. Closer collaboration has also been established in the area of intellectual property protection in particular to better identify counterfeit watches.

Swiss banks are also interested to expand in the Qatari market. UBS announced plans to establish a services hub. Credit Suisse, meanwhile, is willing to open a new tech centre in partnership with the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar. Other sectors too want to further entre the market in the emirate. Swiss hospitals and hotels are looking for partnerships in Qatar and to boosting medical tourism in Switzerland.

What are Qatar’s interests in Switzerland?

Qatar has different investments in Switzerland through the Qatari sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), with investments in several sectors totalling close to CHF1 billion, such luxury hotels like the Schweizerhof in Bern and the Bürgenstock Resort on Lake Lucerne. During the financial crisis, it helped shore up Credit Suisse by buying convertible bonds and taking a 5% share in the bank (swissinfo).

The Geneva International Motor Show also signed a deal with Qatar Tourism to bring the popular event to Doha. In 2023 the motor show will take place exclusively in the Qatari city (Gims.swiss).

The World Cup as a driver for economic diversification

Qatar wants to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels, toward a sustainable economy. Hosting the World Cup is part of Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and provide a high standard of living for the people. In total, it would be more than 200 billion dollars invested by Qatar to organize one of the biggest sporting events. An event that is expected to generate new activities and boost economic growth.

The State of Qatar has spent 220 billion dollars on infrastructure and giant development projects that have been spent in the 11 years since it won the hosting of the World Cup, and this is the highest number ever spent in the system of this world championship (Al-Jazeera).


Source: DW *Includes spending on infrastructure projects. Values not adjusted for inflation - as of April 2022
For Qatar: The cost of constructing of stadiums, according to official data, is about $7 billion.

Qatar built 8 stadiums according to the latest international standards, namely: Al-Bayt (hosting the opening of the World Cup), Khalifa International, Lusail, Al-Janoub, Education City, Ahmed bin Ali, Al-Thumama, and 974. The cost of constructing of stadiums, according to official data, is about $7 billion.

The Qatari government expects that tourism spending and economic activities associated with this World Cup will add the equivalent of 1.5% to gross domestic product. It is expected that tourism revenues from this tournament will reach about $7.5 billion, according to Capital Economics. Between 1.2 million and 1.7 million fans are expected to arrive in Qatar.

The International Monetary Fund and Bloomberg Agency say that the Qatari economy will reap financial revenues from organizing the World Cup estimated at tens of billions of dollars, including a jump in foreign direct investment in Qatar before and after that world championship. The International Monetary Fund expects economic growth in Qatar to reach 3.4% in 2022 and 2.4% in 2023; Supported and driven by many basic economic factors, including the country's hosting of the World Cup.

Such expectations prompted the Qatari government to aspire to the country becoming a regional centre for business, and even to increase the number of tourists to reach to reach 6 million tourists annually by 2030. Doha is actually a city with one of the fastest-growing hotel and hospitality markets in the world. Over 150 new hotels have been built for the FIFA World Cup. In fact, the World Cup is only one point in the long history of Qatar as a hub for sports and other kinds of cultural activities, all of which makes it an attractive tourist destination (Euronews).

According to Sheikha Alanoud Al Thani, Deputy CEO and Chief Business Officer of the Qatar Financial Centre, a successful World Cup in Qatar is a kind opportunity to put Qatar on the international business and economic map, adding that Qatar's financial commitments into building an infrastructure capable of hosting the World Cup has given many companies a boost, especially in the field of sports technology (Euronews).

The World Cup is a highly effective international marketing platform, that reaches millions of people in over 200 countries around the world. Not all countries have benefited in the same way. The list of the official FIFA partners includes: Adidas (ADS), Coca Cola (KO), Wanda, Hyundai, Kia, Qatar Airways, Qatar Energy and Visa². Switzerland has been able to pull out of the game, in particular thanks to the Swiss company Nüssli, active in the construction of stands. The company has set up a system of air-conditioned and removable stands. The estimated budget is around $700 million.

Criticisms directed at Qatar concerning labour force and relevant regulations

World Cup in Qatar is an object of boycott calls from some politicians and human rights organizations in European countries concerning foreign workers rights.

But Qatar has undergone serious significant domestic reforms. It is the first country in the region to introduce a minimum wage last year and formally abolished the kafala (sponsorship) system for migrant workers.

According to ILO reports, Qatar had undertaken substantial efforts in the areas of labour migration governance, the enforcement of the labour law and access to justice, and strengthening the voice of workers and social dialogue, which have improved the working and living conditions for hundreds of thousands of workers.

In March 2021, Qatar became the first country in the Gulf region to adopt a non-discriminatory minimum wage that applies to all workers, of all nationalities, in all sectors, including domestic work, in addition to legislations concerning occupational safety and health & labour inspection such as the prohibiting of outdoor work between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., access to justice, concerning the labour unions, new legislation has led to the establishment of joint worker-management committees at the enterprise level (ILO).

Qatar’s labour minister responded to the allegations about the conditions of migrant workers involved in construction work for the World Cup, saying a mechanism is already in place for those seeking compensation. “At least $350 million has been given as compensation to workers,” he said.

Rita Schiavi, a former trade unionist with Unia (the largest workers' union in Switzerland), who is familiar with the case of stadium construction sites in Qatar for the World Cup, finds criticism of Qatar too harsh. In an interview published in the daily newspapers of CH Media, she finds that there are many misconceptions about Qatar, before highlighting the evolution of working conditions that she has seen during her visits to Qatar. She pointed out that there are many misconceptions in the West, and prejudices against the Arab-Muslim world, such as the obligation to wear the headscarf (20min)(also look at the reports on SRF of 04.11.2022 and SRF of 10.11.2022).

In a fiery news conference in the Qatari capital on the eve of the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, attacked European critics on Qatar regarding issues of migrant workers and gay rights. He said, “Who cares about workers’ rights?!, “We in Europe close our borders and do not allow any worker from developing countries to work in our lands legally” he said, noting that there are many who work illegally, while Qatar provides them with this opportunity.

He added: “I have difficulties understanding the criticism. We have to invest in helping these people, in education and to give them a better future and more hope. We should all educate ourselves, many things are not perfect but reform and change takes time”, “I am European. For what we have been doing for 3,000 years around the world, we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before giving moral lessons,” (Swissinfo³).

Swiss population vision on the World Cup in Qatar
The feeling of the Swiss population has been mixed, with concerns for the welfare of migrant workers, who make up the majority of workers in Qatar (95%). Many Swiss cities have chosen not to install fan zones or public viewings, justifying this decision by Qatar’s workers’ rights record.

Future vision
Finally, whatever scepticism and criticism prevail in the Western countries, Qatar was able to enter history as the first Arab and Muslim country to organize the World Cup, though sending a bright message about the history of the region and the importance of peace and cooperation between the people. Moreover, the World Cup represents a golden opportunity for the country to put itself on the world map changing the country’s image, and cliché about the Arab world, and most importantly, it is a strong tool to transform its economy into a modern, more diversified, highly digitised, and integrated into the global value chain. More is still needed to be done to achieve various urban development projects to achieve the country’s 2030 national vision’s sustainability goals, so creating opportunities and favourable conditions for foreign investors and visitors.

We, at Swiss Arab Entrepreneurs Platform, will be helping the different partners in order to seize the very interesting opportunities offered by the World Cup in Qatar today and in the future.

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1. British company with headquarter in Switzerland, The Guardian (Link).
2. Admiralmarkets (Link).
3. Swissinfo (https://bit.ly/3GWhbyA).

Two separate meetings have been held in May 2022 in order to strengthening Arab-Swiss economic relations. The first meeting took place in Rabat on May 9, when the Moroccan Minister for Investment, Convergence and Public Policy Evaluation, Mohcine Jazouli, met with the Swiss Minister of State Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch in the presence of, Guillaume Schurer, Ambassador of Switzerland to Morocco. Where the two parties discussed the possibility of introducing new investments in many sectors, and pledged to hold similar meetings in the future. Jazouli commented on the already strong relations between the two countries, noting that the meeting was "an opportunity to present the various investment opportunities offered by Morocco to the Swiss officials." On the other hand, Ms. Ineichen-Fleisch described the relations between the two countries as "excellent".

Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services in cooperation with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Morocco had previously held a meeting in late April under the slogan "Focus on Morocco".

Commenting on the recent talks that brought the two sides together, Ambassador Guillaume Schurer referred to the Swiss-Moroccan agreement signed in December 2021, considering that the agreement allowed for "increasing cooperation in all areas."

On the other hand, a meeting was held in Manama on May 12, as part of an official visit by the Swiss economic mission to the Kingdom of Bahrain, where the mission met with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Iman Al-Dosari, in the presence of the Swiss Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Massimo Badji and the Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade, Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, and a number of senior officials in the ministry. The meeting dealt with bilateral economic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them.

The Arab-Swiss relations occupies a distinguished position on the economic level. Switzerland is one of the most important commercial partners for the Arab countries, as it accounts for about 10% of the total Arab trade exchanges with the Europe.

Recent years have witnessed a development in Arab-Swiss economic relations, especially with the Arab Gulf states, in the same time relations between Morocco and Switzerland have improved significantly in the past few years.

2021 can be described as the year of startups par excellence, as it was an exceptional year for startups at all levels. Despite all the difficulties and challenges related to the spread of the Corona virus epidemic, what startups in the Middle East and North Africa achieved in 2021 did not achieve in all previous years!

In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the state of startups in the region, and tell you everything you need to know about the state of startups in the Middle East and North Africa in 2021.

First: the development of investments in start-ups

During more than a decade, the business environment for emerging companies has developed in the Arab region, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, specifically the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which have worked to develop the business environment to incubate entrepreneurship through a wide range of incubators and accelerators of the business sector and the governmental sector. Egypt has also witnessed a remarkable development in the business environment. The development in the Arab entrepreneurship ecosystem is reflected in improving the legislative and legal environment and in launching a large number of startup incubators, including Flat6Labs, Falak and Injaz Egypt.

The development in the business environment for startups in the region has translated into a huge increase in the number and size of investment deals in startups, as the total volume of deals for start-ups increased by more than 1280% between 2013 and 2021, and with a growth rate of 312% compared to 2020, which witnessed a slowdown in the growth rate due to the direct repercussions of the spread of the Corona epidemic.

In terms of the number of investment deals in startups, it also increased significantly between 2013 and 2021, and while the number of deals for startups in 2013 did not exceed 148 deals, in 2021 it amounted to 561 deals. The following figure shows the development of investment in companies in the region between 2013 and 2021 in terms of the volume and number of investment deals.

As shown in the figure, the volume of investments in 2021 alone is equivalent to the volume of investments in emerging companies in the region during the period 2017 and 2020 combined. This indicates the significant development that occurred in 2021.

Second: Startups in the Middle East and North Africa for 2021

The following chart shows the volume of deals for startups during 2021 and their growth on a monthly basis. The figure shows the upward curve of investment in startups throughout the past year. The quarterly growth of the volume of deals for startups reached 48%, 32% and 104%, respectively, while the growth rate for the last quarter of the same year decreased by 74%. This decline can be explained by the exceptional rise in the third quarter of the year, specifically in July, when the total volume of deals reached more than 632 million dollars. As for the semi-annual growth level, it reached about 91%. In general, the data before us heralds new levels of investment in start-up companies. The number of startup deals in the second half of 2021 also increased by 28% compared to the first half. This rise is accompanied by a growth in the average size of one deal, which rose from about $3.7 million in the first half to more than $5.6 million in the second half.

Third: Distribution startups financing by country for 2021

The Emirati startups continued to dominate the scene in terms of startup financing, as Emirati companies accounted for about 52% of the total investments received by emerging companies during 2021, followed by the Saudi startups, which came in second place with 24% of the total investments, then Egypt with 15%, and in fourth place, came Jordan with 4% of the total investments. Despite the continued dominance of the UAE in the forefront, and then Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in terms of investments in startups in the Arab region, this year witnessed the entry of new countries to the list, which was limited to 7 to 9 countries at best in the past. The list expanded to include 15 Arab countries , the most recent of which was Sudan, which ranked last on the list. In terms of absolute figures, new regions showed remarkable growth, specifically the Maghreb region, the Levant countries, specifically Jordan and Palestine, in addition to Iraq, which is witnessing a growth in the volume and number of deals for startups.

Fourth: Distribution of the number of startup deals by country 2021

In contrast to the distribution of the volume of investments by countries, which shows a strong concentration on the UAE, the distribution of the number of startup deals shows less concentration on the UAE, which despite issuing the largest number of startup financing deals, about 72% of the deals are distributed to emerging companies from outside the UAE, most notably Egypt, which came in the second place with 25% followed by Saudi Arabia with 24%, then Jordan with 7%, Morocco with 4%, and Tunisia and Bahrain with 3% each.

Fifth: The annual average of the volume of deals for startups by countries for the year 2021

The size and number of startups deals is reflected in the average size of a single deal, and while it is a good indicator of the development of investments in startups, it must take into account the anomaly value that may mislead the reader, as we can see from the graph that the highest rate of average one deal size is for Algerian startups at $15 million per deal. However, this number hides the significant decrease in the number of deals for startups in Algeria, which was limited to only two deals! While the average size of one deal in the UAE can be considered more reflective of the development and growth of the volume of investment in emerging companies, in which the size of one deal amounted to more than 8.8 million dollars. The same applies to the case of Saudi startups, whose average transaction size is about $4.8 million.

Sixth: Distribution of startup investments by sector for 2021

2021 was a distinguished year in terms of distributing the investments of emerging companies by sector. The food technology sector appeared for the first time to top the list of investments distribution, with 26% of the total investments, followed by the financial technology sector with 21%, a sector that has witnessed steady growth since the year 2019, while the e-commerce sector ranked third with 16%, this sector is experiencing a relative decline, as we have indicated on more than one occasion. The decline of the e-commerce sector is due to the state of saturation that the main Arab markets have reached, although this does not mean that this sector has completely disappeared. E-commerce in the Arab region still needs more expansion and development, but competition in this sector has become more difficult with the rise of many companies that occupied large sectors of the market, and finally the entry of the e-commerce giant Amazon to the most important Arab markets (Saudi Arabia and the UAE) and last year it entered the Egyptian market.

Seventh: Distribution of the number of startup deals by sector for 2021

In contrast to the distribution of the volume of deals of emerging companies that focus on food technology, the distribution of the number of deals for emerging companies was less concentrated among the main sectors on the one hand, and on the other hand, the large number of sectors in which startups succeeded in obtaining financing rounds are, most notably the agricultural technology sector, artificial intelligence, environmentally friendly technology, and other sectors. This distribution indicates the existence of promising opportunities for emerging companies that are active in areas far from the main sectors that have always reaped the largest share of funding, and perhaps the most evidence of this is the decline of the e-commerce sector in favor of the financial technology sector in the past two years, and the displacement of the food technology sector by the technology sector, which took the lead in 2021. So it will not be surprising that companies operating in different sectors are competing for funding this year.

Eighth: Investment stages for start-up companies during 2021

Investment deals in start-up companies in 2021 focused on the initial funding stage (1), with more than 32%, and in the pre-incorporation stage by about 15%, an increase of 2% over the first half of the same year, while the stage of “accelerated growth companies” came in the third place with 15%, and fourthly, financing of category “A” with approximately 9%, while the pre-financing stage of category “A” (2) accounted for about 7%.

Ninth: Distribution of investments by startup companies for 2021 by gender

The share of funding received by startups founded by females is still small compared to the companies founded by males, as the share of funding received by companies founded by females to the total funded startups did not exceed 1.2%. The year 2021 made significant progress, as a number of distinguished financing deals for women-led companies emerged, perhaps the most important of which were the iMile and BitOasis deals, through which the two companies raised $40 million and $30 million, respectively. It is worth noting that the UAE ranked first in terms of the volume of funding and the number of deals of women-led startups, as Emirati startups received investments worth $187 million through 46 deals. Saudi Arabia ranked second, where startups founded by a team of men and women succeeded in raising about $14 million through 9 deals. Egypt came in third place, with total investments of nearly $12 million through 20 deals.

Explanatory notes:

• Initial financing or financing coming from family and friends, is one of the ways of offering securities, where some parties related to the new startup invest an amount that enables the startup to start its business and continue in the market, until it reaches the stage of being able to finance itself or being able to creating value that makes the startup attractive for investors to invest in. It should be noted that seed funding may be a form of crowdfunding.

• Series A Financing, also known as A Round Financing. It is the first round of financing offered to a startup company in which venture capitalists participate, and it comes after the seed round stage. This is usually done when outside investors are given ownership of the company for the first time. This financing is usually provided in the form of preferred shares, and may include anti-reduction provisions in case of more financing being provided, or in the form of common shares or preferred shares in the future.

Sources:

- Press releases issued by start-up companies.

- Wamda Foundation.

The investment opportunities include residential and commercial projects, as well as health and service projects, among others

Saudi Arabia’s Asir region has offered approximately 33 investment opportunities, including residential and commercial projects, health and services projects, parking lots, and other opportunities in the hospitality sector, according to Faisal Al-Ghanem, deputy secretary for investment and revenue development in the region.

The initiatives are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programme 2020.

It also aims to enhance sustainable developments within the Asir region.

The projects included a waste management project in the urban city of Abha, as well as a restaurant, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported.

The region is offering investors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to view investment projects in the region. It also intends to enable those who wish to launch emerging projects by creating opportunities for investment in distinctive locations.

Al-Ghanem pointed out that investors can also view available opportunities based on the type of activity, economic sector, and geographical location, and can apply to purchase the terms of reference online through the official investment opportunities online platform.

source: constructionweekonline