The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States is participating for the first time in the 6th Qingdao Multinationals Summit (QMS) and the China-Arab States High-Quality Investment Cooperation Forum, taking place from 18 to 20 June at the Qingdao Convention Centre in Shandong Province, China.
The delegation is led by His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Mustafa Fahmy, head of the League of Arab States Mission in Beijing, and includes Mr. Ahmed Shaaban from the Economic Relations Department of the Economic Affairs Sector. This year's summit is held under the theme "Transnational Enterprises and China: Succeeding in China and Connecting the World."
Since its inception in 2019, the summit has emerged as a premier international platform for dialogue, cooperation, and investment. Jointly organised by the Shandong Provincial Government and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, the event reflects the strategic importance placed by Chinese leadership on the development of Shandong Province. As a coastal economic hub, Shandong recorded a GDP of approximately 9.9 trillion Chinese yuan (around US $1.4 trillion) in 2024, ranking third among Chinese provinces in terms of economic contribution to national GDP.
His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Malki, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Economic Affairs Sector, noted that the summit will feature a range of ministerial working sessions and 20 side events, focused on exploring new avenues and opportunities for cooperation between China and the Arab world. He said that this participation offers a valuable opportunity for Arab countries and relevant Arab companies and institutions to explore new prospects for cooperation, engage with senior Chinese officials, learn about the latest Chinese innovations and investment opportunities, and exchange perspectives on effective business strategies in China.
The Chinese government's invitation to the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States to take part in this high-level event underscores the strength of Arab-Chinese relations and the shared commitment to deepening economic and investment ties. China is currently the second-largest trading partner of Arab countries, and economic cooperation between the two sides has seen substantial growth in recent years. Since the establishment of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum in 2004, trade volume between the Arab region and China has surged from $36.4 billion in 2004 to $400 billion in 2024.
During his remarks at the Arab-China Investment Cooperation Forum on the morning of 20 June, Ambassador Ahmed Mustafa Fahmy will affirm the significance of active Arab participation in this important event. Since its establishment, the forum has served as a leading international platform for fostering dialogue, cooperation, and investment, particularly in Shandong Province, one of China's most economically dynamic regions.
The summit will also witness the signing of several cooperation and investment agreements among participating business leaders, further reinforcing trade and investment exchanges between the Arab world and China.
