Qatari business leaders and France’s foreign trade minister called on Wednesday for the two countries to move beyond import and distribution deals toward joint industrial and technology ventures.
Goods trade between Qatar and France reached about 1.67 billion euros in 2025, according to figures presented at a meeting hosted by the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) in Doha. About 665 French companies operate in Qatar, the Qatar News Agency reported.
The meeting was held alongside French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Qatar.
Nicolas Forissier, France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, said agreements reached during the visit should be turned into concrete projects. He proposed exploring a joint business council to expand investment between the two business communities.
Forissier also urged closer cooperation between small and medium-sized companies in both countries. France has allocated about 3 billion euros to support startups, he said.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the QBA, said the Qatari private sector wants to be an active partner in investment, production and innovation in Qatar, France and international markets.
QBA board member Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khalid Al Thani called for French technology and industries to be localized in Qatar through joint production ventures.
Xavier-Marie Robert, Chief Executive of Societe Generale Qatar and President of the French Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, described the country as a gateway for French firms expanding across the Gulf, Gulf Times reported.
The French delegation included representatives of SUEZ, TotalEnergies, Bourbon Gulf, Schneider Electric, Quandela and Tikehau Capital. Qatar Financial Centre Chief Executive Mansoor Rashid Al Khater also attended.
