Envoy hails strong Australia-Qatar ties

In less than 15 months since Australia opened its embassy in Qatar therehas been significant levels of  improvement in bilateral co-operation,Australian ambassador Axel Wabenhorst said yesterday.Addressing a reception held in Doha yesterday as part of the AustraliaDay, he has hailed the growing bilateral relations between Qatar andAustralia.HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullahal-Rumaihi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Protocol Chief Ibrahim YousufFakhroo, Diplomatic Corps dean and Eritrean ambassador Ali IbrahimAhmed, and other dignitaries were present.  “Qatar has welcomed uswarmly.  When I first arrived, I was told that Qatar was a familycountry, and I have certainly felt that during the time I’ve been here.”Australia, he said, is a diverse country, and the most successfulmulticultural society in the world. “Through this diversity, Australiansare united by our values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Werecognise the complexities and challenges of our history. But above all,on Australia Day we celebrate our achievements as Australians.”While thanking Qatar Airways for the excellent connectivity that it isproviding to Australia, the ambassador said the airline is now flying tofour Australian cities and from next week it will also fly to Canberra.Qatar Airways was one of the sponsors of yesterday’s event. “With this expansion, I hope more of the country’s residents willdiscover Australia as a holiday destination.  Australia is safe, stableand welcoming.  You will find unique indigenous culture, landscapes andwildlife, and outstanding shopping and restaurants in my country”.The envoy also said there is potential for more Qatari students to studyin his country.  “Australia has a high quality education system, and isthe third most popular destination for foreign students in the world,”he said. He said Qatar is hosting about 3,300 Australians, working indiverse sectors, including engineering, construction, oil and gas,finance, aviation, education, health care, sports science andjournalism. Wabenhorst informed nearly 30 Australian companies are operating inQatar.  The biggest of these are in the engineering and constructionfield, participating in the construction of Hamad Port and the QatarState Mosque, the hydrocarbon sector, the expansion of Khalifa Stadiumand shopping centres, he said. “Australia and Qatar are working together to counter-terrorism, throughthe Global Coalition to Defeat ISIL and Qatar’s hosting of the Al-UdeidAir Base.”The envoy observed that the GCC dispute has separated families. Qatariemployees, students and hospital patients abroad have had to return toQatar. Despite the challenges, Qatar has maintained its welcomingattitude towards all residents. Australia supports the mediation byKuwait with the aim of resolving the dispute, he said.While describing Australia as the world’s driest continent the envoysaid this has made Australians experts in dryland farming.  “As foodsecurity becomes a higher priority for Qatar because of the regionaldispute, Australia is well-placed to support Qatar to grow more of itsown food,” he said. The investment of Hassad Food in Australian farms,worth approximately $450mn has benefited both countries by improving theproductive capacity of the farms, and contributing to Qatar’s foodsecurity.The total trade between Qatar and Australia is Australian dollars 1.77bnper year, evenly balanced between imports and exports.  The newshipping line between the  two countries can further facilitate trade.Australia has hosted many major sporting events, including the OlympicGames and Asian Football Championships, and has expertise in eventsmanagement relevant for Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he pointed out.