Qatari business delegation visits southern France to explore investment ties

A Qatari business delegation visited southern France to discuss expanding economic, trade and investment cooperation across a number of sectors of mutual interest. Qatar Tribune and Gulf Times carried the account, as did Fana News, which published a Qatar News Agency (QNA) report datelined Paris, October 17.

What happened?

According to Qatar Tribune, the delegation aimed to open new horizons for collaboration. Discussions focused on economic relations, the investment climate, and prospects for business partnerships between Qatari and French companies, Gulf Times reported.

The delegation also met the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. It took part in a joint business forum at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, Qatar Tribune said.

Fana News, citing QNA, reported that the delegation also held meetings with key economic stakeholders in Cannes, Nice and other cities across the region. Those meetings brought together French business leaders and explored potential joint ventures and partnership opportunities.

Who is involved?

The delegation included Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber, and Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, a Board Member of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), according to Qatar Tribune. Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the French Republic, was present.

The visit was organised in cooperation with the Qatar-French Economic Association (CADRAN), Gulf Times reported. The delegation met Bernard Kleynhoff, President of risingSUD, which the reports describe as the economic development and investment promotion agency of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

What have officials said?

Fana News, quoting the QNA report, said Sheikh Khalifa praised the strong economic and trade ties between Qatar and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and pointed to a shared commitment to deepening commercial engagement. He also commended CADRAN for strengthening ties between the two business communities, providing platforms for dialogue and supporting sustainable economic partnerships.

Ambassador Sheikh Ali stressed the importance of the delegation’s engagement with representatives of France’s public and private sectors, Gulf Times reported. He said the visit offered a valuable opportunity to broaden economic relations.

Qatar Tribune reported that the ambassador pointed to the longstanding ties between Qatar and the region in luxury hospitality and real estate. He saw significant potential for expanding cooperation into aviation, tourism, technology, finance, the energy transition, advanced infrastructure, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

The ambassador also stressed the importance of organising a visit to Qatar by a business delegation from southern France, according to Fana News. He said direct meetings and reciprocal visits help build trust, explore major economic projects and establish sustainable business partnerships between the two sides.

What came out of the meetings?

All three outlets reported that some of the meetings produced preliminary understandings on establishing commercial alliances and partnerships. According to the report, these will enhance communication between the business communities and support the shared economic interests of the State of Qatar and France.

None of the reports gave details of the companies involved, the value of any projects, or a date for a possible visit by a southern French delegation to Qatar.