*Amir, Merkel to open 9th Qatar-Germany Business and Investment Forum in Berlin on Sept 7
*Amir to hold talks with German President, Chancellor and senior officials


His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will head to Berlin on Wednesday on a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, where His Highness will hold meetings with President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Angela Merkel and a number of senior officials to discuss bilateral relations and means of boosting them, in addition to discussing issues of common concern.
The Amir and Chancellor Merkel will open the 9th Qatar-Germany Business and Investment Forum, which will be held in Berlin on September 7.
The Amir will be accompanied, during the visit, by an official delegation and a number of Qatari businessmen.
According to a previous Gulf Times report, Qatar has invested heavily in Germany in a wide range of sectors.
The National Committee for Organising the Business and Investment in Qatar Forum’ said Qatar's investment in Germany has exceeded €25bn.
The committee, which is organising the forum, said it will highlight major projects to be implemented in Qatar and Germany in the commercial, economic, investment, and construction fields.
With a wide participation of senior government officials and decision makers, in addition to businessmen and representatives of the public and private sectors, the forum aims to further enhance Qatar-Germany bilateral relations in all areas. These will be discussed in the panel sessions that cover all economic sectors, the committee noted.
The committee said it also seeks to promote Qatar’s role and economic status along with the vast privileges offered to foreign investors, especially in the value-added sectors that respond to the Qatar National Vision 2030, and support the shift towards a knowledge-based economy.
“This forum is held at a time when Qatar’s investments in Germany exceed €25bn and includes vital projects in the automotive, information technology, and banking sectors, and a common desire to promote and develop mutual investments,” the committee said on its website.
In recent years, trade relations between Qatar and Germany have witnessed significant development, with both countries seeking to expand areas of mutual cooperation, the committee said.
“This development is reflected in the increasing number of German companies operating in the Qatari market, which now amounts to more than 300. This volume of trade has amounted to approximately €1.9bn, making Germany one of Qatar’s most important trading partners.
“Qatar’s outstanding investment activities in Germany have also furthered interest in extending bridges of long-term mutual cooperation at economic and financial levels,” the committee continued.
According to the committee, Germany is also a key partner in achieving Qatar’s vision towards a technology-based economy.
Related Story