Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al-Baker has outlined the importance of growing trade links between Canada and Qatar during a keynote business address in Montreal, his third visit to the city since the airline began Canadian flights ten months ago.Al-Baker was invited to deliver the main address at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations (CORIM) business series luncheon, where over 230 executives from the Montreal business community heard him speak on ‘Gulf States: Rising Business Opportunities’.Al-Baker provided an informative overview of the strong Canadian business links between the Qatar and Canada. He highlighted the massive ongoing infrastructure, construction and real estate projects in Qatar and discussed the growing presence of Canadian business in Qatar.“Qatar is an avid supporter of the Canadian brand and opportunities are boundless for Canadian businesses to contribute to the burgeoning infrastructure projects across a range of sectors, in addition to an industry which closely brings our countries together – oil and gas,” he remarked.As a strong lever and enabler to the economic ties between both countries, al-Baker spoke about the significance of Qatar Airways’ Montreal services, the only Gulf carrier flying to the Canadian city.A key component in his address was the praise of the airline’s successful Canadian operations, impressively performing and exceeding expectations in less than a year of being introduced.“I want to thank Canada for such a warm welcome over the past 10 months. Travellers’ enthusiasm has surpassed our expectations. There are very strong links between our two countries, as well as common interests, both business and cultural, reinforcing those ties even further.
“Qatar Airways is looking forward to continue growing its operations in Canada and providing the travelling public with greater access to an expansive route network covering the Middle East, Asia, Asia Pacific and Africa,” he told his audience.Drawing attention to bilateral traffic rights, his address mentioned the Qatar flag carrier’s calls for additional landing rights in Canada, enabling it to expand operations to Montreal as well as other Canadian cities.He supported his points with examples of the flourishing business landscape in Qatar and the growing number of Canadian businesses currently operating in Qatar, which reinforces the mutually beneficial opportunities that would arise from strengthening the air bridge between the two countries.Qatar Airways operates thrice a week services between Montreal and Doha, in addition to thrice-a week cargo services to Toronto, which began last November.Following the CORIM speaking opportunity, al-Baker also spoke with local media in Montreal to pursue the discussion further, as well as provide an update on Qatar Airways’ presence in Canada since the Montreal route launch last June.