HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani holding talks with Princess Astrid, representative of King Philip of Belgium, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Right: HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani meeting Princess Astrid yesterday.
QNA/DohaQatar and Belgium yesterday signed an agreement on the prevention of double taxation and fiscal evasion. The agreement was signed by HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi and Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for Foreign Trade and European Affairs Didier Reynders. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Qatari-Belgian Investment Forum which was held today in the presence of Princess Astrid, representative of King Philip of the Kingdom of Belgium. The Forum was held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani. Addressing the forum, HE the Finance Minister Ali Sherif al-Emadi said that the Qatari-Belgian Forum aims at pushing forward the friendly relations between the two countries to more co-operation in all fields in order to increase the volume of trade and open new horizons for joint investment. The Finance Minister also expressed the hope that the forum would come out with constructive results supporting the path of co-operation between the two countries and the common interests of both sides. He described the close relationship of friendship and co-operation between Qatar and Belgium as distinctive, noting that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries in 2014 exceeded 1.2bn euros. Qatar’s exports of oil, gas and their derivatives in 2013 and 2014 totalled $1.8bn. HE al-Emadi said Qatar pursues a multifaceted economic strategy crystallised as part of Qatar National Vision 2030 in order to boost the economy and promote social, human and environmental development, pointing out that in line with the objectives of the vision Qatar is seeking to diversify its national economy. He said the non-oil sector accounts for more than 51% of its gross domestic product.. The Minister noted that despite the fall in oil prices Qatar will continue to implement major development projects with a focus on health, education, infrastructure and transport, including rail projects and projects related to hosting 2022, which will support the participation of the private sector in economic growth in the coming years. He added that small and medium-sized enterprises have great interest in the recently launched new economic zones to support the participation of the private sector. Earlier, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met Princess Astrid, representative of King Philip of Belgium. During the meeting, held at the Emiri Diwan Office, bilateral relations were reviewed, especially in economic and trade fields, and ways of strengthening and developing them were discussed. Possibilities of taking advantage of the investment opportunities available in the two countries were also discussed.Meanwhile, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met Princess Astrid and her accompanying delegation yesterday. They reviewed relations of co-operation between the two countries and means of supporting and developing them especially in trade sector and discussed issues of mutual concern.