Doha, March 20 (QNA) - HE President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow praised the strong relations between his country and the State of Qatar, noting that the two countries' relations have seen significant development within the past few years and that all conditions are available for further development that corresponds with the tremendous potential both countries own.

His Excellency was addressing a meeting held on Monday at the Sheraton Hotel with members of the Qatar Chamber (QC) and the Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA).

HE Serdar Berdimuhamedow said that the State of Qatar is a trusted partner to Turkmenistan, noting that this large gathering of Qatari businessmen assured their interest to enhance cooperation with their Turkmenistan counterparts.

"There are a host of investment opportunities galore in Turkmenistan in many sectors including energy, renewable energy, urban development, industry and agriculture," he noted.

The Turkmenistan President called on Qatari businessmen to invest in his country, stressing that there are many investment opportunities in oil and gas pipelines, transport networks and textile industries.

HE Serdar Berdimuhamedow also pointed out that Qatar has an extended expertise in the financial system, insurance and stock exchanges, stressing the importance of developing long-term partnerships between Turkmen and Qatari businessmen, and that his country is ready to provide the appropriate legislative conditions to achieve this target.

His Excellency suggested the establishment of a Qatari-Turkmen joint businessmen council, affirming the important role of the Turkmen-Qatari Commission which was founded in 2011.

"The Commission will convene in Turkmenistan this year and will play an essential role in enhancing cooperation between both countries' businessmen," he added, noting that they have to look at the opportunities available to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries through the joint implementation of projects, especially in the areas of oil and gas in the Caspian Sea, and building petrochemical production plants.

For his part, First Vice-Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari said that Qatar and Turkmenistan enjoy close relations which is clear through the mutual visits at the level of leadership, officials and private sector representatives, as well as the agreements signed between both countries in varied sectors, noting that despite these close relations and the tremendous potential both countries own and their attractive investment climate, their trade exchange is still below expectations.

He affirmed the role which the private sector on both sides can perform to develop relations between both countries by establishing new partnerships and commercial alliances between Qatari companies and their counterparts from Turkmenistan.

Al Kuwari called on Qatari and Turkmenistan companies to enhance their cooperation and benefit from the close relations between both countries and the attractive investment climate in all sectors, calling on Turkmenistan companies to invest in Qatar which offers advanced infrastructure and leading economic legislation, especially with the presence of logistic and free zones which provide a host of incentives for foreign investors at various sectors in light with the great success of the state in hosting the 2022 World Cup and in line with the QNV 2030.

QC First Vice-Chairman assured the Chamber's interest to encourage Qatari businessmen to invest in Turkmenistan, noting that it is an attractive destination for investments.

On his part, HE QBA's Board Member Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al-Thani said that the last decade witnessed development in the mutual visits between both countries officials, noting that this embodied the mutual interest between both governments to bolster cooperation in a number of fields.

"Qatar and Turkmenistan signed 17 agreements and MoUs to strengthen cooperation in economic, commercial, cultural and sports fields," he noted.

His Excellency also pointed out that the QBA is interested to learning about the investment opportunities available in Turkmenistan and the incentives offered by the government so that a joint committee can be formed to study investment projects in the two countries. (QNA)