Qatar CEO Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Thani urges Chinese firms to build local logistics hubs amid Gulf trade disruptions
War in the Gulf complicates shipping routes, prompting Qatar's WareOne and Chinese platforms like SHEIN to focus on regional inventory storage.
Qatar is intensifying efforts to attract Chinese companies as ongoing conflict in the Gulf disrupts traditional trade routes. Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Thani, a member of the ruling Al Thani family and CEO of WareOne, stated that supply chain diversification continues globally regardless of regional instability. The tension forces businesses to reconsider their operational models, shifting from simple shipping goods to establishing physical presence closer to markets. Chinese enterprises are expanding across the Middle East through platforms such as SHEIN, Temu, and AliExpress, alongside ventures in electric vehicles and technology. According to Sheikh Khalifa, the core challenge is no longer whether goods can move but who manages the final distribution end. Operations in the six Gulf Cooperation Council markets face varying regulations, taxes, and product registration requirements. Companies must navigate a complex environment that often demands local entities, customs agents, warehouses, fulfilment centers, and dedicated delivery networks to function effectively.
