Qatar elected co-chair of Arab M&A working group

Qatar has been appointed co-chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Working Group within the Arab Competition Network (ACN), bolstering the nation's influence in fostering fair competition, boosting regulatory cooperation, and fortifying competition protection frameworks throughout the Arab world. Representation of the Competition Protection Department at Qatar's Ministry of Commerce and Industry secured the election during the fifth ACN Executive Council meeting, held virtually last week.

The appointment underscores Qatar's active participation in regional endeavors to bolster competition policies and encourage closer coordination among competition authorities across Arab countries. By assuming the role of Co-Chair, the Department will spearhead the Working Group's activities, including formulating a work plan, organizing specialized meetings and workshops, and facilitating knowledge exchange among competition authorities in member states.

Furthermore, the department will champion the execution of targeted training programs, specifically in mergers and acquisitions and economic concentrations, to bolster institutional capabilities and promote a more unified grasp of competition-related matters across the region.

As regional cooperation gains prominence in tackling increasingly intricate market structures and cross-border business activities, the ACN's Working Group offers a platform for competition authorities to deliberate on regulatory approaches, share practical experiences, and enhance their capacity to assess mergers, acquisitions, and other economic concentration forms.

By contributing to the ACN's Working Group, Qatar will actively participate in regional dialogue on competition policy and support initiatives aimed at reinforcing coordination and championing the application of sound competition principles throughout Arab markets. This appointment also highlights the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's commitment to regional cooperation initiatives designed to enhance regulatory expertise and facilitate the development of robust competition protection systems.