Ahmed Abu Sharkh, Country Senior Partner in Qatar.
Doha: Qatar-based CEOs remain optimistic about the growth prospects for the country, despite decline in confidence in the global economy. According to Qatar CEO Outlook report by KPMG, CEOs in Qatar remain optimistic about Qatar’s growth prospects with 60 percent expressing confidence in the growth prospects of their country, compared to 45 percent of global CEOs who expressed confidence in their country’s growth prospects.
The latest Qatar CEO Outlook report by KPMG is an effort to bring some clarity to the “new normal”. KPMG interviewed thousands of CEOs from many of the world’s largest companies, first in January and then again in July and August, to get their perspectives and to understand how their priorities have changed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ahmed Abu Sharkh, Country Senior Partner in Qatar, stated: “The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost every aspect of our lives today and for CEOs it has redefined leadership. These individuals at the helm of large organizations have had to lead through adversity and manage a level of uncertainty that few will have ever experienced.”
As per the survey, 80 percent of CEOs in Qatar said they have had to rethink their global supply chain approach, as a result of the disruption caused by the pandemic. Around 70 percent of CEOs in Qatar said they felt a stronger emotional connection to their purpose since the crisis began and 80 percent said they have had to re-evaluate their purpose as a result of COVID-19 to better address the needs of stakeholders.
The survey revealed that 50 percent of Qatar-based CEOs said that progress has sharply accelerated putting them years in advance of where they expected to be on the creation of new digital business models and revenue stream and the creation of a seamless digital customer experience.
Around 90 percent of CEOs say they will continue to build on the digital collaboration and communication tools that are being used as a result of the pandemic, and 70 percent believe that remote working has widened their available talent pool.
The CEO Outlook is based on the input of CEOs in Qatar and provides an in-depth outlook from thousands of global executives on enterprise and economic growth. The survey offers a unique perspective on the mindset shift of Global CEOs since the lockdown and assesses how companies can map new business strategies for success over the next three years.
