JEDDAH, 20 August 2004 — Open any periodical and very likely you will come across something about Qatar or Qatar Airways. The nation and the national carrier have been engaged in all round and aggressive efforts to achieve progress, growth, development and reach new heights.
The latest 224-page beautifully brought out book Business Unbounded, produced by Format Art Syndicate, printed in Hong Kong, and distributed with compliments of Qatar Airways, really opens the door to Qatar’s economy.
At the very outset, Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, outlines the airline’s achievements and plans. These include the most recent one of its cabin service being ranked the best in the Middle East and fifth in the world, and increasing the number of destinations, flights and aircraft. It is one of the launch customers for theA380 super jumbo that will be delivered in 2007.
The book makes interesting and beneficial reading. There is hardly a page without a photograph or an illustration, which contributes to ease of reading.
The reader gets an in-depth idea about what Qatar is, what it stands for, where it is going, how it plans to reach there and what it has to offer the entrepreneur to share in the progress. All that goes to build up confidence, trust and determination to succeed.
Grounded in history, Qatar is guided by leaders with a vision. From pearl diving to petrochemical and gas, the country has come a long way and eyes the horizon with new ideas for development and progress.
As P. Shamsudeen, editor-in-chief writes: “Qatar is poised for a prolonged phase of fast-paced growth in all segments of economy. From infrastructure development to tourism, the country has a lot to offer for multinational companies and businessmen scouting for new opportunities.” “This book is an attempt to open the country to the business world outside; it’s a window for those wanting to take a look at what is happening here,” he adds.
According to a Chinese proverb it is easy to open a business but very difficult to keep it open. After going through the book carefully one will find it not so difficult to keep it going.
A strength of the book is that it introduces the leading players in the local industry - leaders who are the pillars of the country’s economic edifice. Partnering with them can be mutually rewarding.