Qatar-Austria trade up 5% to QR786mn in 2018, says Qatar Chamber chairman

Trade exchange between Qatar and Austria registered a 5% growth to cross QR786mn in 2018, according to Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani.
Sheikh Khalifa made the statement on the occasion of Qatar Chamber’s participation in the ‘11th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum’ and its accompanying exhibition in Vienna, Austria.
Sheikh Khalifa underscored the depth of relations between both countries “in all fields,” especially after the signing of many agreements aimed to strengthen Qatar and Austria’s economic, trade, and technical cooperation.
He also said Austria is “an attractive and unique” investment destination for the Qatari private sector. He stressed that Qatari businessmen were eager to identify investment opportunities available in Austria, and to establish joint ventures and partnerships with their Austrian counterparts.
Currently, there are five Austrian companies operating in Qatar with 100% capital, including one factory for producing marble and granite. 
There are 42 Qatari-Austrian companies working in various sectors, including IT, advertising, contracting, and tourism, Sheikh Khalifa said.
Sheikh Khalifa said he hopes that both sides would strengthen alliances and include all sectors, especially in high-tech industries. 
The Arab-Austrian Economic Forum is the Arab-Austro Chamber of Commerce’s largest conference, exhibition, and networking event. 
The forum offers a unique platform for knowledge exchange, networking and deepening of Austro-Arab relations in economy, trade, culture, and diplomacy.
The forum constitutes a major part of the event’s programme, offering high-level speakers, experts, and official representatives a unique presentation and discussion platform to shed light on topics revolving around water, infrastructure, energy, and industrialisation, from an Austrian, Arab, and international perspective.