HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani and the Minister of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Abbas Aliabadi co-chaired in Doha the 10th Qatar-Iran Joint Economic Commission.

In the period of December 10-12, representatives of ministries, government agencies and investors from both sides discussed the progress on the recommendations of the joint technical working team.

They deliberated strategies to boost bilateral co-operation, primarily in trade and industry, customs, handicrafts, health sector, scientific research, transportation and maritime shipping, communications and information technology, agriculture, free zones, culture, sports, and labour.

The agenda also included increasing the volume of trade exchange through further bilateral trade, investment and industrial co-operation.

In a speech, HE Sheikh Faisal hailed the close Qatar-Iran relations, noting that the regular commission meetings manifest the deep bilateral relations and the two sides' keenness to elevate co-operation across various fields.

He said the bilateral relations had developed, thanks to the mutual official visits and the common will of the leaderships to expand the horizons of co-operation.

He voiced hopes the Qatar-Iran Business Council would further enhance trade, industrial and investment co-operation, streamlining the flow of goods and services, and boosting the partnership between the two business sectors.

Highlighting Qatar's investment environment, HE Sheikh Faisal detailed the main sectors identified by the Third National Development Strategy as promising opportunities to enhance bilateral partnership, especially in renewable energy, logistics, small and medium enterprises, food and agriculture, and strategic projects related to food security.

He also called on Iranian investors and companies to explore the great opportunities in the Qatari market, stressing the importance of diversifying and strengthening the economic and investment partnership to serve common interests.