QDB CEO to discuss empowering businesses in virtual seminar hosted by Texas A&M at Qatar
Published Nov 05, 2020[1].jpg)
Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank, will give the next talk in Texas A&M University at Qatar’s next Al Maerifa Public Seminar Series on 12 Nov. via Zoom.
While entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are regarded as the backbone of a thriving, diversified economy, the impact of these businesses extends far beyond that. From introducing future-defining products and services that shape consumer experiences to creating communities of like-minded innovators and contributing to the improvement of their communities, the influence of SMEs on Qatar’s socio-economic development is unmistakable.
In his talk, “Qatar Development Bank: Empowering SMEs Towards Business Growth and National Development,” Al-Khalifa will highlight the role of the Bank and its affiliate institutions in advancing entrepreneurship and pushing forward the small and medium-sized enterprise ecosystem in Qatar. Al-Khalifa will also talk about how the Bank integrates within the country’s innovation ecosystem to empower business owners and private enterprises as Qatar continues its march towards building a knowledge-based economy and realizing its national vision for 2030 and beyond.
In addition to his role as the CEO of QDB, Al-Khalifa is the Chairman of the
Board of Directors at Elan, and Chairman of Qatar Business Incubation Center and the Bedaya Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development. With more than 15 years of experience, Al-Khalifa has a large and diversified exposure in the SME, private and entrepreneurship sectors. He played the leading role in the launch of several flagship development initiatives, including Al Dhameen Partial Guarantee Program, Tasdeer Qatar Export Development Agency and the Housing Loan Program for Qatari citizens, Moushtarayat Exhibition and Congress and Al Fikra National Competition.
Al-Khalifa holds an MBA from Qatar University, a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from California State University, Long Beach, and has received several specialized diplomas from Harvard University and Insead University.
Organized by Texas A&M at Qatar, the Al Maerifa Public Seminar Series continues the partner university’s core mission of sharing knowledge with the local community in Qatar, said Dr. César Octavio Malavé, dean of Texas A&M at Qatar.
“Engineering and entrepreneurship are working hand in hand to drive Qatar to meet the goals of its National Vision 2030,” Malavé said. “We are pleased to host Mr. Al-Khalifa for this public seminar, which will be of great value to our community, including our current students and graduates in the workplace.”
The Al Maerifa virtual seminar series features 45-minute seminars to promote knowledge on topics centered around Qatar’s grand challenges and research pursuits. The talks are presented in English and are designed for a general, nontechnical audience. Participants will be invited to ask questions at the end of the presentation. To register or for more information, visit https://knowledge.tamu.qa.