Doha – Qatar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar in cooperation with Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy organized a roundtable meeting on the investment opportunities between the two friendly countries, in Doha today.

The State of Qatar’s delegation was headed by HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti with participation of HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie and CEO of Qatar Investment Authority HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud. The Italian delegation was headed by HE the Italian Foreign Minister Mr. Luigi Di Maio.

The roundtable was attended by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Italy Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki Al Jehani and HE Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Qatar Alessandro Prunas.

The roundtable discussed enhancing cooperation between the two friendly countries in all fields. HE Minister Al-Sulaiti said that the bilateral relations can be described as excellent and unique on all political, economic and even military levels and they are based on mutual respect, trust and common interests between the two countries.

HE also delivered an explanation about the precautionary measures and the financial and economic package of measures that Qatar has taken to combat the Coronavirus pandemic, in addition to Qatar’s effort in this front to back the international community through offering the necessary aids to more than 70 countries and organizations. He also highlighted the role the national carrier Qatar Airways has been playing since the pandemic began.

Additionally, HE the Minister touched upon the key projects carried out in transportation and communications and plans and programs that MOTC will be carrying out in mobility and communications during hosting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

In this context, HE the Minister highlighted the role of the Italian firms in strategic projects in mobility and ports sectors in Qatar. He said a consortium led by Salini Impregilo S.p.A. in the works of designing and constructing the Red Line of Doha Metro, in addition to the role of C.M Bernardini the leading Italian company specialized in the design and supply of equipment and plants for oils and fats industry, which cooperates as an international consultant on the works of developing and building the Strategic Food Security Facility (SFSF) at Hamad Port.

Minister Al-Sulaiti also said that there are large opportunities for business and investment in Qatar, adding there are 40 agreements between Qatar and Italy covering various key industries. Every year, he said, Qatar exports 8 billion cubic meters of gas to Italy which equals nearly 10% of Italy’s needs and the value of Qatar’s commodity exports with Italy also rose from QAR986 million in 2012 to QAR5.130 billion in 2019 – up more than 420%.

He affirmed that work will continue to cement cooperation for the best good and interest of the two nations.

After the roundtable, HE the Minister and the Italian Foreign Minister witnessed the signing of a letter of intent on cooperation in innovation between the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center. The signing event was attended by HE Ambassador Al Jehani.