A delegation of ‘French Technologies in Agriculture’ global leaders are ready to share their expertise with Qatar aimed at helping the country attain self-sufficiency in food production, French ambassador Franck Gellet has said. 
Representatives and officials from these 10 companies started meeting their Qatari counterparts at the opening of Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) 2019 yesterday, taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre until March 22.
“We introduce these companies from various sectors in France’s agriculture here (at AgriteQ) that are of important interest for Qatar at a time it is intending to develop its agricultural industry,” the envoy told Gulf Times.  He added that these renowned companies, with their lengthy experience and extraordinary know-how, are open not only in giving advice and support, but also on joint ventures with Qatari institutions and companies “possibly if circumstances are permitting.”
Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy, is organising these meetings at AgriteQ – which brings together some 90 local farms and more than 50 international companies under one roof. Among these French companies include CK Industries design, which manufacture and sell a wide range of tubular and manure equipment for cows, calves, sheep and goats such as headlocks, fences, cubicles, hayrack and scrapers for over 40 years; Deltex, a company specialised in manufacturing polyester wire and cable, and builds water reservoir, greenhouses and trellis systems; NTD France, which builds livestock buildings designed for the comfort of animals; and Gautier Semences, which specialised in breeding, producing and retailing high-quality vegetable seeds for over 60 years.
Meanwhile, Senalia’s core business is exporting of cereals while Berthault Engineering creates unique food and Agrofood concepts. 
Alma-Sun-Energy is an expert in design, installation and maintenance of environment-friendly power stations; Vitalac manufactures food, minerals, premixes and nutritional products for cattle and poultry; Allflex is the number one animal identification; and Olmix Group is one of the major global specialist in marine biotechnology and green chemistry. 
“Strong and proud of its agri-food industry, France is acclaimed worldwide for the recognised quality of its products and know-how: it is positioned as the European leader in agricultural products and the sixth in the world of direct exporters (with $68.5bn exported),” Gellet said.
He stressed that the Middle East market is gaining importance for France, citing that more than $1.4bn have been directly exported to the GCC region.
“In 2017, France’s agricultural sales to Qatar decreased by 52% (following a sharp rise in 2016), but exports of agri-food products (3.6% of French sales) increased by 48.8% for a value of €72.2mn,” he noted. 
The envoy pointed out that the embargo imposed on Qatar on June 5, 2017 has strengthened the country’s desire for food security, with Doha demonstrating its ability to maintain the well-being of its population and to increase its autonomy.