Australian and New Zealand Business Community in Qatar

A Message from Austrade

In 2009 Australia’s trade with Qatar was valued at $A626 million. Our exports to the market were $A182 million, motor vehicles being a dominant line item. Austrade believes that there attractive opportunities to expand the bilateral commercial relationship based on the good fit between Australian industry capability and the emerging pattern of demand in Qatar. Our work with Australian companies approaching the market concentrates on the following priority sectors:

There is a healthy on-ground Australian business presence building in Qatar with around 130 Australian companies established and operating in the market and more than 3000 Australians living and working here. Australian companies have established a significant business presence in building and construction with many prominent city landmarks having been built by Australian companies. Student visa applications are growing steadily. This supports the growing tourism numbers to Australia and underpins the recent introduction of Qatar Airways Australian service.

Austrade covers the Qatar market through its Trade Representative in Doha, Susie Billings. Her role is to assist Australian companies to find markets for their goods and services in Qatar. The services she provides include market research, organisation of market visit programs, delivery of opportunities, assistance with promotions and events and customer relationship management. Susie can also provide assistance to local Qatari businesses that are looking for introductions to Australian suppliers or business partners. She is supported in this role by the resources of Austrade’s Middle East & North African team which comprises a network of representatives in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Tehran, Amman, Istanbul, Tripoli and Morocco.

I encourage Australian businesses with ambitions for expansion into Qatar to make contact with Susie to see how Austrade can be of assistance.

Kym Hewett

Senior Trade Commissioner

Middle East & North Africa

Dubai