CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: PROF. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Business / Qatar Business

Ooredoo CEO lauds Qatar’s participation at SPIEF

Published: 04 Jun 2021 - 10:54 am | Last Updated: 02 Nov 2021 - 04:57 am
Ooredoo Chief Executive Officer, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani during interview with RT Arabic.

Ooredoo Chief Executive Officer, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani during interview with RT Arabic.

The Peninsula

Ooredoo Chief Executive Officer, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani, in a televised interview with Russian TV channel RT Arabic highlighted Qatar’s participation at the ongoing St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and the bilateral relations between Qatar and Russia. 

The interview, conducted on the sidelines of SPIEF, focused on Qatar’s participation in the forum, the challenges Ooredoo – and the entire telecommunications industry - has faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic potential for future collaboration between Ooredoo and its counterparts in Russia. 

Sheikh Mohammed talked about strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, highlighting the presence of many senior-level representatives that confirms the intention to boost relationships and economic links. He also emphasised the opportunity the forum presents for entities to share best practices, experience, and expertise. He also expressed his hope that Qatar-Russia ties will progress to the next level. 

With the ongoing pandemic situation still very much at the forefront, Sheikh Mohammed discussed Ooredoo’s response to the crisis.

He detailed challenges faced, including the phenomenal increase in demand for connectivity and network speed, and explained how and why Ooredoo had been able to weather the COVID-19 storm, continue seamless service to its customers and maintain a stable operational position. Sheikh Mohammed also noted the unilateral focus on the emergence of a digital economy and highlighted Qatar’s position as a leader in digital transformation. 

Naturally, SPIEF has seen great interest in Qatar as the host of the next FIFA World Cup in 2022, and Sheikh Mohammed discussed Ooredoo’s role in the upcoming event during the interview.

He noted the many opportunities to share expertise and best practice with Russian counterparts at the forum, with Russia having hosted many such events in the past. He confirmed Ooredoo’s readiness to take on the challenge of the tournament and expressed his pleasure at the prospect of working with Russian telecomms providers to ensure the success of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Sheikh Mohammed is visiting St Petersburg as part of a delegation of companies representing Qatar at SPIEF.