- Visit to Sweden, Norway and Finland to unleash new momentum in relations
- New horizons for co-operation to be opened, especially in the fields of energy, technology, tourism, trade and artificial intelligence
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will begin an official tour of a number of friendly European countries Monday, upon the invitation of their leaders.
His Highness the Amir will begin the tour with a visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, followed by the Kingdom of Norway, and will conclude it with a visit to the Republic of Finland.
His Highness the Amir will hold talks with the leaders and senior officials of these countries on ways to enhance co-operation relations and a number of issues of common concern.
His Highness the Amir will be accompanied during the tour by an official delegation.
The three-nation European tour marks a new phase in the longstanding relationship between Qatar and these three countries.
The significance of His Highness the Amir's tour lies in the fact that it aims to enhance ongoing co-operation and focus on developing bilateral relations across various levels, as well as to continue joint efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and promote innovation in strategic sectors.
This will, in turn, contribute to advancing economic development in Qatar in addition to Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
Qatar's ties to these three countries are exemplary based on building economic partnerships, exchanging investments, encouraging international dialogue, co-operation, and resolving international disputes through diplomatic mediation, in addition to maximising shared values rooted in justice and human rights.
His Highness the Amir's tour is expected to open new channels for further co-ordination and mutual benefits between Qatar and the three countries through the signing of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding to enhance co-operation, generating new investments and improve trade ties, especially considering the ongoing economic growth and efforts to diversify economies and increase revenues from foreign investments in all four countries, thus, necessitating developing bilateral relations between Qatar and each of the three countries to keep pace with international challenges.
Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani said that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani (to Sweden, Norway, and Finland) will open new horizons for cooperation, especially in the fields of energy, technology, tourism, trade, artificial intelligence and other economic sectors.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Chairman of QBA said that the visit comes within the framework of a series of visits that His Highness the Amir is making to various countries, in Europe, Africa and Asia, to enhance the position of Qatar on the international scene.
He stressed the importance of diversifying markets for Qatari business sectors with the aim of raising the pace of economic, trade and investment cooperation, noting that this cooperation requires Qatar to expand the scope of its markets within new economic blocs.
HE Sheikh Faisal added that Qatar seeks to deepen trade and investment cooperation with Norway, Sweden and Finland, given their strategic location in the European market. He noted the significant growth in the volume of trade between Qatar and Norway, Sweden and Finland in recent years.
His Excellency pointed out that there are dozens of Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish companies operating in the Qatari market, both 100% and with local partnership.
HE Sheikh Faisal affirmed that the Qatari Businessmen Association welcomes companies from Scandinavian countries in Qatar, pointing out the desire of the Qatari private sector to enhance co-operation with these companies and discuss commercial alliances, partnerships and joint industrial projects with them.
In this context, HE Deputy Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani al-Thani highlighted the importance of His Highness the Amir's tour in paving the way for the private sector to explore investment opportunities in Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
He told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that amid global developments, Qatar is working on diversifying its markets with all countries and economic blocs. He pointed out that Northern European countries are important for the Qatari market, particularly with regards to technology, as several European companies are present in the Qatari market. This makes the visit of His Highness the Amir timely to further develop bilateral co-operation with these countries, after important visits by Qatari delegations in preparation for a successful European tour.
HE Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani al-Thani explained that with dozens of weekly flights between Doha and European capitals, trade exchange is continuously rising and could develop further, as major European companies and brands are present in the Qatari market, including many small and medium-sized enterprises in medical and technological fields.
With regard to investment between Qatar and all the three countries, as well as the sectors which could experience increased co-operation, he said that economic relations between Qatar, Sweden, Norway, and Finland have grown significantly in recent years, with dozens of major companies from these countries operating in the Qatari market and investments exceeding $ 11 bn. He also highlighted major partnerships, especially between Qatar and Norway in the energy and aluminum sectors.
HE Sheikh Dr. Khalid said that there is significant movement in the bilateral relations between Qatar and each of the three countries, considering new projects of substantial added value in maritime technology, ICT, and green economy, in addition to projects aimed at enhancing cooperation in tourism, healthcare, among others.
Professor of Contemporary Politics and History of the Middle East at Qatar University Dr Mahjoob Zweiri said that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's visit to Sweden, Norway, and Finland is of great importance given current global circumstances, as it aims to strengthen co-operation between Qatar and these countries, maintaining regional and international peace and security.
Speaking to QNA, Dr Zweiri said that Sweden and Norway are globally known for their efforts in striving for peace and stability, and have precedents in negotiation and conflict resolution, which aligns with Qatar's role as a key player in resolving many global disputes through diplomatic means.
He added that His Highness the Amir's visit to these countries, which are engaged in peacebuilding and conflict resolution and are concerned with human rights issues pertaining to education and health in conflict areas, will be beneficial in strengthening cooperation between Qatar and those two countries to achieve international and regional peace and security, particularly as they are involved in the Middle East peace process and support the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.
Dr Zweiri expected the visit to give a new impetus to cooperation among the four countries in supporting the Palestinian cause, especially after more than ten months of the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip.
He pointed out that apart from its political implications, the tour of His Highness the Amir will also strongly feature economic and cultural components, which will enhance the relationships between Qatar and these countries, which will set the stage for their development in the future, especially in the energy sector.
He noted that the tour will also enhance cultural, educational, and academic cooperation among institutions in all four countries, thus, opening a new chapter in their ties based on their shared values of justice and human rights.
According to the latest economic data, Qatar's relations with Sweden, Norway and Finland have seen notable growth in recent years, with increased cooperation in trade, energy, education, research, and climate change and sustainability-related fields, which reflects their shared desire to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties, in the service of the interests of all parties amid current global challenges.
Trade between Qatar and Sweden increased by 79 % in 2023, reaching about QR 1.55bn, compared to QR 866mn in 2022. Trade between Qatar and Norway also rose to approximately QR 1.3 bn in 2023, an increase of around 80 % compared to 2022. Additionally, trade between Qatar and Finland reached QR 395mn in 2021, growing by 4 % compared to 2020.
Around 40 Swedish companies operate in the Qatari market, either with 100 % capital or through partnerships with Qatari companies, in addition to about 20 Norwegian companies, most of which are involved in the energy and infrastructure sectors, as well as an equal number of Finnish companies.
An increasing number of private sector business forums are bringing together representatives from all four countries, as their shared interests in energy, education, tourism, innovation, and research are converging, thus, giving birth to promising prospects of cooperation, commercial alliances, and joint industrial projects, serving the four countries sustainable development goal.
Agreements on mutual promotion and protection of investments have encouraged increased trade between Qatar and the three countries. The Qatar Investment Authority has a strong presence in several Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish companies in key economic sectors such as green technology, innovation, and real estate.
Similarly, companies from these three countries have a similar presence and are seeking more opportunities in the Qatari market, with energy and sustainable transport being a central focus, reflecting the four countries' commitment to enhancing industrial and technological co-operation to achieve shared strategic goals.