Talks are underway to bring to Qatar small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Italy that are keen on forging investment and export ties with their Qatari counterparts, according to Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano. 
The ambassador travelled recently to Brescia, a city in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, and delivered a presentation to its small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) on the opportunities to invest in Qatar.
From Brescia, Salzano said, he also went to Piano di Sorrento in the south of Italy to participate in the first edition of the ‘Italian Export Forum (IEF)’ where SMEs there are also eyeing export opportunities in the Middle East, particularly in Qatar.
The IEF at Piano di Sorrento gathered more than 100 companies from all over Italy and over 50 leading managers and institutional representatives, according to Salzano, who underscored the role of SMEs in economic development.
Asked about Italy’s participation in many of Qatar’s major infrastructure projects, Salzano said the country offers a vast opportunity for leading Italian companies to showcase the quality of the ‘Made in Italy’ brand, as well as Italian skills, talent, and craftsmanship.
“Not only do our companies offer high quality and affordable prices, but also holds in high regard environment-friendly and sustainable policies – these three pillars are the key to the success of these companies operating here.
“And what is also important is to provide excellent service. What I always tell our companies is that they should not only sell a product but also to provide good service to clients, specifically in this very highly-sophisticated society and customers the expectations are very high,” Salzano told Gulf Times.
Evaluating the presence of Italian companies in Qatar, Salzano said “they are all present in almost all levels of interest” in the country, specifically in the building and construction, food and beverage, health, design, architecture, and engineering fields, among others, which are significant to the realisation of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Economic exchange between Qatar and Italy in 2018 stood at €2.6bn, which is 21% more compared to 2017, Salzano pointed out, adding that there are around 60 Italian companies operating in Qatar.
The ambassador also noted a “dynamic and positive trend” in terms of Italian exports to Qatar in the field of design and building industry.
Related Story