Qatar views Italy as a political ally and an important trading partner, that must be seen at the start of the diversification process to reduce dependence on oil and gas, the newspaper said in a report titled “the growing exchanges and partnerships between Italy and Qatar”.
It added that bilateral talks between the two countries will focus on files on energy, infrastructure, and investments, pointing out that Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Italy’s exports to Qatar increased by 11.9% in 2018 over the same period in 2017 to reach 582mn euros, and imports from Qatar to Italy increased by 15.4% to 778mn euros, the newspaper reported. It explained that the remaining period of 2018 will contribute to the improvement of these results compared to last year, where the total trade exchange was 2.1bn euros.
Qatar’s ambassador to Italy, Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki, said in an interview with the Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper that the diversification of the economy is a strategic objective for Qatar and a key pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 to reduce dependence on oil and gas. He stressed that Qatar was the least affected by the drop in oil and gas prices, indicating that the drop in oil prices was accompanied by an increase of 4% in Qatar’s GDP.
The ambassador pointed out that Qatar’s exports increased by 18%, the number of factories in Qatar increased by 14%, and the role of the private sector in the economy progressed, adding that the Qatari economy is taking steady steps towards achieving food security.
The ambassador stressed the existence of many opportunities for co-operation between Qatar and Italy in the areas of development and investment of natural resources, consulting, art, information technology, agriculture, food industries, health, education, and tourism.
The ambassador of Italy to Qatar, Pasquale Salzano, expressed confidence that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Italy will culminate in the strategic relationship between the two countries.
The Italian ambassador praised Qatar’s determination to diversify sources of production and income, stressing that the Qatari economy is undergoing an important transformation.
The Secretary-General of the Italian Ports Association (ASSOPORTI) Franco Mariani, who visited Qatar in July, said that during his visit he held several meetings to implement the agreement of understanding for co-operation in the use of information technologies and digital techniques used in Italian ports.
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