Senior officials from the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), one of the world's leading and fastest growing onshore business and financial centres, successfully concluded panel discussions, face-to-face consultations and networking events with professionals from UK corporations and private firms in London and Manchester.

The event came as part of QFC's efforts to address the strong historical relationship between the UK and Qatar, and to help companies looking to grow their businesses in the Middle East.

Qatar is the UK's third largest export market in the MENA region. In 2016, UK exports to Qatar amounted to nearly QAR 11.2 billion registering a growth of 21.7% compared to 2014. The Qatari government also has more than QAR 140 billion in investments in the UK, this includes stakes in BAA, Sainsbury's, Barclays, London Stock Exchange, Harrods and The Shard.

Qatar recently announced that it will invest QAR 23.5 billion in the UK economy through various investment funds and relevant parties in Qatar over the next 3-5 years.

Highlights at the roadshows included presentations from senior QFC representatives as well as case studies by companies from the UK that currently have operations in Qatar. Participants also engaged in one-on-one consultation sessions with QFC's leading experts, enabling them to gain a better understanding of the business landscape and advantages of operating businesses in Qatar.

As part of its ongoing collaboration with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), QFC representatives also invited attendees to explore the investment opportunities in Qatar's tourism sector, and learn about the support provided to investors by QTA's Tourism Investment Promotion Unit, which works to facilitate access among investors, local and international talent, and government authorities.