Hopton: Qatar ‘a happening place’

By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

Outgoing British Ambassador Nicholas Hopton has described Qatar as a "happening place" where a number of "exciting and positive developments" are taking place every day.

Hopton is leaving Qatar later this week after a stint of 27 months to take over another important assignment.

Interacting with the media yesterday, the envoy said while in Qatar he could work closely with the local authorities in areas such as economy, culture, security and above all the region's political developments.

Hopton said he and his family were received warmly by the locals, whom he described as "exceptionally friendly and hospitable."

The envoy said he could witness and experience real and extremely fast changes taking place in Qatar and they contributed considerably to strengthening relations between the two countries in a host of areas.

Hopton said it was a matter of immense satisfaction for him that UK’s exports to Qatar reached £1.67bn in 2014. It showed a remarkable rise of about 29% compared to the previous year. Qatar now accounted for the third largest UK exports to the region, behind Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, he said.

The growing presence and enhanced visibility of Britain in Qatar is evident from the arrival of a large number of brands and outlets in recent years, he said.

Hopton also said he was happy that a number of architects, engineers, designers and consultants from Britain have arrived to serve in a host of major construction projects in Qatar and many of them are directly working to help Qatar successfully host the FIFA 2022 World Cup.

The envoy recalled when he arrived in 2013, the `British Year of Culture' was going on and hence he could associate with hosting a number of cultural, educational and scientific events held as part of the celebrations.

"About 40 events were held as part of the celebrations and I am thankful to those companies, their representatives in Qatar and the local institutions and authorities for the support they extended to the embassy in organising the events."

The ambassador, who is an avid music enthusiast, also showered praise on the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra for which he once performed at a gathering.

"The QPO is an exceptionally good team and I was fortunate indeed to have played music once for the acclaimed orchestra," he said.

While acknowledging that he had a "fruitful and memorable stay" in Qatar, the envoy hoped his successor Ajay Sharma, who is arriving next month, would have an important and significant role to play here.

Sharma, he said, is an experienced diplomat, familiar with the developments in this region and had served in different and crucial overseas assignments in Turkey and Iran.

Besides facilitating the resumption of British embassy's functioning in Tehran recently Sharma had played a major role earlier in the negotiations prior to the Iran nuclear agreement, Hopton added.