The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), in co-operation with the German Embassy in Qatar and the German Industry and Commerce Office in Qatar (AHK), organised a roundtable discussion in Doha Sunday.
The roundtable, which discussed investment opportunities, joint co-operation, and ways to overcome obstacles facing investors, is part of the objectives of the Qatari-German Joint Taskforce that was established on September 7, 2018, during the Qatar-Germany Business and Investment Forum held in Berlin.
The meeting was held in the presence of German ambassador Dr Claudius Fischbach; QBA Chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani; QBA board members Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Sherida al-Kaabi, and Saud al-Mana. QBA members Omar Alfardan, Khaled al-Mannai, Salah al-Jaidah, and Nabil Abu Issa, as well as QBA deputy general manager Sarah Abdullah were also present.
The German side was represented by companies, such as DB Schenker, Siemens Energy, Siemens, DHL, Deutsch Bahn, Avianet, German Excavation Technology, SAP, Man Energy, TÜV Rheinland Gulf, Roland Berger, and AHK.
Sheikh Faisal said he hopes the meeting would serve as a platform for exchanging ideas on how to enhance co-operation between the two countries and create more awareness for German companies about Qatar as a gateway for investments in the local, regional, and international markets.
He said QBA is ready to support the efforts of German companies in Qatar to expand their investments and overcome obstacles, especially with Qatar’s openness, driven by many legislations and incentives to attract more foreign investments.
Sheikh Faisal also stressed the need to maximise the presence of pioneers in German industries as members of the joint business council to support the expansion of joint investments and help find suitable partners or contacts to promote Qatari investments in Germany.
Fischbach said he values the reliable and prosperous relationship between Doha and Berlin, citing partnerships in energy and other sectors, and Germany’s support for expanding Qatar’s energy mix, including renewable energy.
The German ambassador said, “In the past years, Qatari and German companies worked together on many projects and I managed to get it done in time for the World Cup.”
Fischbach lauded Qatar’s central role in providing the world with clean energy, including agreements with Germany to supply gas to Berlin in the coming years after expanding new fields and announcing an increase in production.
“Before my arrival in Doha more than two years ago, my counterparts in Berlin told me how important Qatar is as it is a jewel in the entire Middle East and North Africa region. In fact, they have proven themselves right,” said Fischbach, who ensured that the embassy will work to deepen Qatar-Germany ties this 2023.
Fischbach added: “The economic dynamism that characterises joint trade exchange between Qatar and Germany has continued without interruption, which indicates that there are many other opportunities to develop this dynamism and that this is specifically related to the newly-concluded partnership in the field of energy.”
For his part, AHK Gulf CEO Oliver Oehms praised the strength of German-Qatari relations, saying the roundtable discussion shows the development of bilateral relations, which is headed in a dynamic direction.
Sheikh Nawaf noted that Qatari investors are fully aware of the great potential Germany enjoys. He said, “As a strategic partner, we expect Germany’s co-operation will constitute added value to the Qatari economy.”
He said the Qatari market is ready and willing to attract more investors through its advanced infrastructure and facilities like the Hamad International Airport, as well as incentives like low electricity rates and other privileges. This makes Qatar an investment centre through which investors could access other markets, he said.
Alfardan also emphasised the importance of establishing robust partnerships with German companies, citing the transfer of German technical expertise and experience to Qatar, and not limiting co-operation to traditional methods, such as agencies or merchandise trade.
Al-Jaidah discussed the successful experience of Deutsche Bank in Qatar. He also stressed that Qatar is a safe market for foreign investors and that its infrastructure and legislation make Qatar an example to follow in developing economic relations with its partners.
The meeting also discussed the challenges of doing business in Qatar and Germany. It also talked about co-operation between small and medium-sized companies and ways to support their development, such as the Hannover Messe exhibition.
