QNA/Oslo
HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement between Qatar Fertiliser Company (Qafco) and Norway’s Yara company following a session of official talks here yesterday. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and means of developing them in the several fields. A set of other regional and international issues of mutual concern was also taken up. The talks were attended by a number of ministers accompanying the Prime Minister and Norwegian ministers.The agreement of intentions between Qafco and Yara Company International and Pologne institution aims at co-operation in the agriculture sector and production of vegetables and fruits in Qatar. The agreement was signed by CEO of Qafco, Khalifa A. al-Sowaidi, group managing director of Yara, Joergen Ole Haslestad, and CEO Joachim Hauge of Sahara Forest Project inc. The co-operation agreement aims to build a pilot environmental plant in Qatar. An important part of the pilot plant is to demonstrate the potential for cultivating desert land and making it green.
Outdoor vertical evaporators will create sheltered and humid environment for cultivation of plants. Additionally, the plant will contain outdoor hydroponic raceways for cultivation of halophytes - plants tolerant to irrigation with salty water. The facilities in the pilot plant will be supported by on-site laboratories, scientists and professional growers. “The Pilot Project in Qatar will demonstrate the benefits of reducing waste streams in technological systems,” reports said.Yara International ASA is a global firm specialising in agricultural products and environmental protection agents.It is the world’s leading chemical company that converts energy, natural minerals and nitrogen into essential products for farmers and industrial customers. Yara was launched in 2004 by Norwegian aluminium giant Norsk Hydro, which produced the world’s first chemical nitrogen fertiliser. The company is among the world’s top producers of nitrogen chemicals, used primarily in its mineral fertilisers. Later, the Norwegian Premier hosted a luncheon banquet in honour of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and the accompanying delegation. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister held separate meetings with Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, and Norwegian Minister of Environment and Minister of International Development Erik Solheim at his resident at the Guest Palace here.
They discussed bilateral issues and means of enhancing and bolstering them, in addition to other issues of mutual concern.