Qatar Chamber second vice-chairman Rashid bin Hamad al-Athba held a meeting on Sunday with British ambassador Neerav Patel to review the robust trade and economic relations between Qatar and the UK and explore avenues to further enhance bilateral ties.
Ian Mason, director of Business and Trade at the British Embassy, and Emad Turkman, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, were also present during the meeting, which also focused on expanding co-operation between the Qatari and British business communities while highlighting the investment climates and diverse opportunities available on both sides.
Al-Athba stressed that economic relations between both countries are distinguished and steadily growing, whether at the level of government or the private sector, noting that more than 500 British companies are operating in Qatar across various sectors, either with full British capital or in partnership with Qatari investors.
He also highlighted significant Qatari investments in the UK and the growing interest among Qatari investors in expanding these investments, as well as the benefits from the UK’s attractive business environment and incentives.
Al-Athba emphasised Qatar Chamber’s support for British investors looking to invest in Qatar, noting the wide range of promising opportunities for co-operation between the private sectors of both countries.
Patel praised the strength of relations between the two countries, highlighting the importance of the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and the UK in enhancing trade and investment co-operation. He noted that it is the first of its kind between the UK and an external economic bloc.
He also stressed the confidence of British investors in the Qatari economy and his country’s commitment to strengthening co-operation between British and Qatari companies and expanding bilateral investment flows.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of organising a Qatari-British Business Forum, bringing together a number of business leaders and company representatives from both sides to explore opportunities for co-operation across various sectors.