From left: Qatar Businessmen Association chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, Belgium’s Princess Astrid, and HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sharef al-Emadi during the opening of the Qatari-Belgian Economic Forum 2015. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed
By Peter Alagos/Business Reporter
Further strengthening of economic and trade relations between Qatar and Belgium could help push growth in the non-hydrocarbon sector, which saw a 12% increase in 2014 and represented 51% of last year’s GDP, HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sharef al-Emadi said.
“Qatar is seeking to have an investment environment that is attractive to foreign investors,” he stressed, addressing Belgium’s Princess Astrid during the opening of the Qatari-Belgian Economic Forum 2015 held yesterday at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha.
Al-Emadi’s statement was acknowledged by Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, who said the 400-strong delegation, which includes 223 Belgian companies “represents the growing interest in the attractive Qatari market.”
“I am confident that the Belgian companies present here, from SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to large companies, have the technology and the knowledge to contribute, together with their Qatari partners, to the Qatar National Vision 2030,” Reynders stressed during a keynote speech.
Reynders noted that the economic mission, which concludes today (March 23), will see discussions on key sectors such as infrastructure and construction, healthcare, green technology, and energy.
“The sectors are crucial to realise the goals set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030, and we believe that Belgian companies have developed specific competencies in these sectors, including sustainable development,” the foreign minister added.
Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event, Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani noted that the impact of economic mission on the country’s private sector would be “increased connection” between Qatar and Belgium.
“Our bilateral trade volume with Belgium last year stands at €1.2bn, but I think there should be more. There is a lot of opportunity for Qatar to sell petrochemical products and gas to Belgium and to import Belgian products and services,” Sheikh Khalifa added.
Sheikh Khalifa’s statement reiterates the prospect of utilising Zeebrugge, an LNG terminal, which, according to Belgian ambassador Christophe Payot could be used as a hub to import Qatari gas not only to Belgium but other neighbouring countries in the European Union.
Payot also cited the significant role of the Port of Antwerp as an “important cluster” in Belgium for petrochemicals. “Energy remains as an important sector despite Qatar’s diversification policy,” the ambassador told Gulf Times earlier.
Meanwhile, QC vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari further said Belgian companies are qualified to participate in Qatar’s economic projects “taking into consideration the quality of their work and products.”
“It is good to have them here to discuss investment opportunities with the local business community because European companies are very advanced and their technology exceeds expectations,” al-Kuwari said.
The forum was also highlighted by the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Qatar Businessmen Association chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani and Voka, Flanders’ chamber of commerce and industry, as well as the Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry (BECI) and QC’s al-Kuwari.
After the forum, Princess Astrid and several Belgian ministers held high-level meetings with HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, and al-Emadi.
