Strategic Decision Making, Project Financing and Green Building Concept

Date: October 12, 2011
Place: FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, DOHA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Doha Chapter, organised a professional knowledge sharing seminar on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Four Seasons Hotel, West Bay, Doha. The theme of the seminar was “Strategic Decision Making, Project Financing and Green Building Concept”.

The seminar was sponsored by Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) Q.S.C. CA. G Ramaswamy, President of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and CA. Jaydeep Shah, Vice President ICAI, the guests of honour, addressed the gathering. They updated the Chapter members on the proposed reforms in the regulations governing the profession in India and abroad. They also spoke about the possibility of ICAI partnering with the Qatari Authorities in forming an Accounting body that will regulate the profession of accounting and auditing in Qatar. CA Ramaswamy also updated the members about the recently concluded Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) signed with the Accounting Bodies of England & Wales, Canada and Australia.

Mr. Robin McAll Group CEO al khaliji in his opening statement said, “Not only do we want to network with business leaders– but we at al khaliji have made a firm commitment through our Corporate Social Responsibility program to put something back into the community that we operate in. We believe that CSR extends beyond charity and requires that a responsible company will take into account the impact on all stakeholders and on the environment when making decisions.”

 Three keynote speakers provided the audience with insight into the theme. Mr. Sunder Ramakrishna, Management Consultant spoke on Strategic Decision Making. "Any organization must have a credo in order to achieve success and must unfailingly adhere to it in all circumstances. Change is eternal and the organization must be willing to change everything about itself except these beliefs", he said.

Eng. Issa Al Mohannadi, Chairman of the Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC), spoke on the role played by QGBC to provide Qatar with a sustainable future. He explained that QGBC’s vision is to provide leadership and collaboration for Qatar in guiding and adopting environmentally sustainable practices for green building design and development.

Mr. Mian Ehsanulla, the Head of Public Sector and Liability Management at al khaliji, spoke at the event on ‘Project Financing Trends and Capital Raising – A Practical Perspective.’ "At al khaliji, we are well positioned to discuss the topic from a practical standpoint,” said Mr. Ehsanulla. “We already have a significant portfolio of projects that we have financed – including the largest power and desalination plant in Qatar – and we are delighted to have shared our hands-on experience with project financing and capital raising with the attending audience."

Earlier Chapter Secretary Mr. Sheji Valiyakath welcomed the participants and Chapter Chairman Mr. Girish Jain introduced the guests of honour and the keynote speakers. In his address Mr. Jain said “We are thankful to the management of Al Khaliji Bank for partnering with our Chapter in the conduct of such knowledge sharing sessions every year as part of its Corporate Citizenship strategy. The topics delivered by the theme are very relevant to the members and the business community at large. We are pleased to see more than 300 members and guests at the event.” Chapter Vice Chairman Mr. Venkat Ramamurthy proposed the vote of thanks.