At the Qatar Economic Forum, global business leaders called for long-term planning, innovation, and agile leadership to navigate uncertainty and drive sustainable growth.
From rising geopolitical tensions and economic volatility to trade tariffs and accelerating technological disruption, global business leaders gathered at the Qatar Economic Forum to chart a path forward for resilient, future-focused growth.
Opening the high-level panel, Bandar Ibrahim Abdullah Al Khorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, stressed the importance of long-term strategic planning to navigate global uncertainty.
“Saudi Arabia has weathered many storms over the past five decades through a long-term view,” he said, highlighting Vision 2030 as a blueprint for economic diversification and sustainable development, particularly in mining and advanced technology.
Al Khorayef likened national transformation to “growing a tree,” saying that today’s decisions must be made with future generations in mind.
“Governments must avoid overcapacity and overspending while embracing innovation. The GCC region is well-positioned, especially given its youthful demographics and appetite for technology,” he added.
Henadi Al-Saleh, chairperson of Agility, echoed his remarks, calling for bold, adaptive leadership and risk-aware strategies. Known for spearheading digital transformation and supply chain innovation, Al-Saleh underlined the need for companies to act proactively.
“We must manage risk intelligently while seizing emerging opportunities. In this unpredictable landscape, innovation isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity,” she said.
Adding a Southeast Asian perspective, Le Thi Thu Thuy, vice chairwoman of Vingroup and Global CEO of VinFast, highlighted the role of agility and innovation in business survival and growth.
She described how Vingroup’s pivot into electric vehicles and smart technologies helped it thrive amid shifting global demands.
“Success today demands bold decisions,” Thuy said. “We must keep pace with change while building enterprises that create lasting value for people.”
The Qatar Economic Forum runs through 22 May, bringing together top leaders in business, government, and finance to address the most pressing challenges shaping the global economy.
