Antoine, could you share a brief overview of your professional journey and how you ended up in Qatar, working with QShield?
My journey started with QShield in 2013, when I first joined as a sales and business development manager. In 2018, I was awarded the position of Business Development Director. In 2021, I became the General Manager.
Even prior to that, I had great experience working and living in the Middle East and the GCC. I was born and raised in Lebanon, then lived in Abu Dhabi for 3 years, and now I am in Doha since 2008.
When I first arrived in Qatar, I was the Sales and PR Manager for the Diplomatic Club, then moved to the IFG Group for 2 years.
Because of my expansive background in different sectors (like banking, retail, insurance and hospitality), I was equipped with the industry knowledge and skillset that provided me with the confidence and cultural awareness to become more effective with my role at QShield.
What inspired you to transition across different industries, such as F&B, insurance, and immigration services, during your career?
Holding a basket filled with a strong network and connections, solidified with life-long experience in different fields, I found myself able to excel in my first position as Sales and Business Development Manager at QShield.
I leveraged all my experiences and poured them into a single entity, which is QShield. The very first step I took throughout in this role was reaching out to my network and building trust and reliability with my clients through QShield, regardless of their respective industry focus.
Our first client, Huwaei, is in the telecom sector. They are still with us today! And the domino effect happened from there onwards, which is when I realized that I could bring more sectors into our businesses. Now, I am proud to say that we cover over 23 industries, including: oil and gas, insurance, retail, hospitality, education, fashion, defense, finance, and more.
Can you provide an overview of QShield and its core mission in the business landscape of Qatar?
At QShield, we are the premier government relations service provider in Qatar. With extensive expertise and a deep understanding of Qatar’s regulatory landscape, we are dedicated to helping businesses navigate complexities and unlock growth opportunities.
QShield is the first licensed PRO company in Qatar by the Ministry of Interior. With 15 years as leaders in our business landscape, our professional consultants assist clients with every step of the immigration procedure, including business incorporation and sponsorship, advising on company structure, handling PRO and immigration matters for employees and their dependents, as well as providing several business support services for HR and Admin teams.
From small businesses up to multinational enterprises, we offer a wide range of solutions that are tailored to our clients needs. In short, we ask our clients to focus on their businesses and leave all the compliance matters to us!
What sets QShield apart from other business support and government relations service providers in Qatar?
QShield works hand in hand with all the governmental entities to closely facilitate government relations services in the state of Qatar. Providing more than 200 different services, we are experts in our field, with excellent relationships and trust that was built with government entities across sectors.
We have 300+ loyal clients and 182 combined years of experience, with over 90% success rate. Have a look at our website and visit our client list to see how far we have reached.
In your opinion, what makes Qatar an attractive destination for businesses seeking growth and expansion?
Qatar has a low unemployment rate and a high standard of living. It is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, making it an attractive destination for businesses and entrepreneurs. Qatar is very famous for its business-friendly environment and diverse multi-national residency. It is also unique in its pro-business government, which is committed to creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurs. With the Qatar Vision of 2030, a lot of business owners and opportunity seekers are considering Qatar to be the hub for all their business interests. We’ve seen it firsthand with several of our clients!
What key advantages does Qatar offer in terms of strategic location, infrastructure, and economic environment?
The country has implemented various initiatives and reforms to attract foreign investment and encourage the establishment of startups. The ease of doing business here has been a key focus, with streamlined processes, transparent regulations, and robust legal frameworks in place.
The presence of free zones with attractive benefits and the country’s political stability make it a highly favorable environment for business operations. All these advantages collectively position Qatar as a key player in global trade and investment, providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
Can you share some success stories where QShield has significantly contributed to a client’s business success?
QShield has been from day 1 committed to our client’s success. I will discuss a particular case where an oil and gas corporation (a multinational company) sought to expand its operations into Qatar. Recognizing the complexities and challenges associated with entering a foreign market, this company engaged QShield to facilitate their entry and ensure compliance with local regulations. By addressing regulatory compliance, facilitating government relations, and managing workforce administration, QShield played a pivotal role in ensuring a seamless entry into this highly competitive industry. We have been working with this business for over 10 years now. The relationship between us became more as partners than anything else; we succeeded together, hand in hand. I am very proud to say that we now have several clients with similar success stories.
What role does QShield play in supporting small businesses versus multinational enterprises in Qatar?
QShield is a key player in Qatar’s business environment, offering support to both small businesses and multinational corporations. Regardless of company size, business background, or the services that they offer, we treat all our clients equally.
For small businesses, we offer essential resources and support to help them establish, develop, and grow. For multinational corporations, we provide strategic insights, compliance assistance, and operational support to facilitate their successful entry and expansion in the Qatari market. This balanced approach is our CSR to support Qatar’s business environment.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your role as General Manager at QShield?
As the General Manager of QShield, I have the confidence to knock on more doors, to recruit more clients, and to establish a very loyal network of individuals and entities at all levels in Qatar and abroad. The most fulfilling aspect of this position is the outstanding feedback that we receive from our clients and the immense level of satisfaction that they receive from us. They are not only our clients but also our partners in success.
How do you maintain a balance between your professional responsibilities and personal life?
I am the father of two beautiful young daughters, yet I have another third child called QShield.
I always try to realize and appreciate the thin line between personal and professional business life, yet I am a person who is on call 24/7 for our clients and all their needs. You will notice most of my friends, colleagues, and even acquaintances name me as “Antoine QShield” on their phone Caller-ID instead of “Antoine Klimos”. I am honestly very proud of that; QShield is my family! They all know that Antoine is the person who can be relied on when it comes to professional services and the person with whom they can spend quality time outside of work. This is my balance.
What motivates you to continuously strive for excellence in your field?
The trust that we have from our clients and the responsibility that we share with thousands of employees and their family members on daily basis are my main motivation factors. I have a genuine interest and passion for our business that drives for continuous excellence in our field. We, as a company, have it embedded in our culture, We have a great desire to create meaningful impact in our community and to give back to our society.
Fore more information, please visit qshield.com
