Doha, February 14 (QNA) - The Qatar-Kazakhstan Business Roundtable was held Wednesday in Doha in the presence of HE President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and HE Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani to highlight the investment opportunities in the two countries and discuss cooperation and economic partnerships.
The meeting was attended by representatives of commercial chambers, businessmen associations and investors, as well as deputies and representatives of major Qatari and Kazakh firms.
Addressing the inaugural meeting, HE Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani said the participation of the Kazakh President in the meeting underscores the distinguished relations between the two countries, along with their keenness to strengthen them in a variety of fields to epitomize the shared vision of the leaderships of the two nations that aim to boost the existing strategic cooperation, advance the economic relationships and catalyze the shared investments.
His Excellency pointed out that the meeting represents a crucial platform to discuss a variety of economic issues of common interest and explore the investment opportunities in the markets of the two countries to further develop and diversify the partnership, as well as open the opportunities for the business sectors and companies in the two countries.
HE the Minister affirmed that he aspires to the pivotal role performed by private sectors in Qatar and Kazakhstan, calling on Kazakh investors and firms to capitalize on the distinguished economic and investment environment offered by the State of Qatar for foreign investors.
His Excellency noted the State of Qatar's keenness to cooperate with the Kazakh side in multiple fields, such as manufacturing, logistical services, information technology, digital and financial services, food and agriculture, health services and other sectors to achieve the common objectives for the two nations.
The meeting highlighted the characteristics of business environment in Qatar and Kazakhstan and discussed avenues to enhance cooperation in numerous fields, in addition to holding several bilateral meetings between the Qatari private sector representatives and a host of Kazakh producing and exporting companies to explore cooperation opportunities, exchange of expertise and build new investment partnerships in the sectors of mutual interest.
The roundtable meeting culminated in the signing of four memorandums of understanding to increase cooperation between the two sides that would squarely elevate the bilateral trade exchange.
HE Qatar Chambers Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani praised the distinguished relations between the two countries in a variety of fields, especially the economic and trade areas, pointing out that the cooperation agreement and memorandums of understanding signed between them in many areas underscore the keenness of the two countries to reinforce bilateral relations and trade exchange, in addition to building bilateral partnerships that would help increase the investments.
His Excellency noted the keenness of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to meet with the Qatari businessmen and investors, pointing out that QC welcomes the reinforcement of cooperation between the companies of the two nations and hopes to activate the memorandum of understanding that has been signed between QC and the Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan for years to ultimately achieve the joint objectives, enhance cooperation and exchange visits among the business communities of the two countries, in pursuit of establishing joint projects, as well as exchange expertise between the Qatari companies and their Kazakh counterparts.
The Chairman of Qatar Chamber further stated that despite the distinguished relations between both countries and their mutual eagerness to develop them across various economic sectors, the trade volume between them remains weak and does not meet the level of ambitions, stressing that private sectors in the two countries can play a critical role in catalyzing trade exchange, through forging partnerships and trade alliances between the Qatari and Kazakh companies, as well as through establishing joint projects and mutual investments, since investment climate is encouraging, and there is prolific opportunities in the two countries.
HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani said that Qatar boasts world-class infrastructure, leading legislation, and investment incentives and facilities. He highlighted that these factors consequently stimulate global companies and foreign investors to invest in Qatar.
He called on the Kazakh firms to invest in Qatar and forge trade and investment alliances with the Qatari companies, urging the Qatari investors to explore the opportunities available in the agriculture sector, mining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, food production, and capitalizing on Kazakhstan's attractive climate. (QNA)