Qatar’s minister holds talks in Davos

QNA/DavosHE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani has met several world leaders and heads of major international companies on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos. They included Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Swiss Minister of Economy Johann Schneider-Ammann.The Qatari minister and Turkish prime minister discussed bilateral relations and means of developing them, particularly in the economic, commerce, and investment fields. The Turkish premier praised his country’s ties with Qatar, pointing to the significant increase in investment and trade between them. HE the minister of economy expressed Qatar’s keenness on cementing economic partnerships between the two countries.In his meeting with the Swiss minister, HE the minister of economy and commerce discusses means to boost economic and investment relations between the two countries. Trade between Qatar and Switzerland was QR3.4bn in 2013, 5.1% of which is Qatari investments in Switzerland, while the Swiss investments in Qatar are represented in 15 companies wholly owned by Swiss businessmen in addition to 45 companies jointly owned by the two sides. The two ministers discussed steps necessary for implementing the free trade area agreement between GCC states and members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The Minister of Economy and Commerce discussed with Chairman and Director of MasterCard Richard Haythornthwaite the company’s regional, global and local activities. Sheikh Ahmed reviewed with Chief Executive of Maersk Group Nils S Andersen economic issues and the company’s projects in Qatar. Anderson expressed the company’s intention to develop its business in Qatar in the light of country’s great economic development in various sectors. He also met Benoit Potier, Chief Executive Officer of Air Liquide, to discuss the regional and global economic situation and developments in Qatar’s economy and the business climate. HE the minister also attended an interactive session on ruling and managing trade, which dealt with developments in the World Trade Organisation, and the need to support the organisation’s programmes in light of developments that occurred after the last ministerial conference in Bali, in addition to the future of the Doha negotiations.