HE the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Federal Republic of Germany, Mohammad Jaham al-Kuwari, launched the book, Economic Guide – Qatar, in the German language, in co-operation with the German Society for the Middle and Near East, which held a farewell party for His Excellency on the occasion of the end of his tenure as Qatar's ambassador to Germany.
The ceremony was attended by Dr Daniela De Ridder, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs in the German Bundestag; Dr Catherine Heisner, representative of the German Ministry of Economy and Energy; Prince Georg von Preussen, grandson of the last German Kaiser; and Prince August von Wittgenstein, and a group of businessmen and economists and representatives of German companies from various sectors.
In his speech, HE al-Kuwari stressed the strength of the partnership between the State of Qatar and Germany and its diversity in many fields, including political, economic, social, and cultural. He explained that Qatar is pursuing a strategic line in its investments to create permanent and sustainable partnerships, not just for short-term profits.
On the investment opportunities in the Qatari market, HE the Ambassador said that the distinguished geographical location of the State of Qatar makes it a centre for international trade with the best conditions and services, whether concerning production processes, transport, and logistics or obtaining safe and secure supplies of energy, as well as the financial, digital, logistical and service infrastructure, besides the culture of hospitality.
On the Qatari vision to raise investments in the German economy, HE the Ambassador stressed that Qatar is determined to strengthen cooperation with small and medium-sized companies in Germany, underlining that the Qatari economy can be an important partner to support them in expanding their commercial business inside Germany or entering new markets.
In a joint welcome speech on the book, delivered by HE the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Federal Republic of Germany HE al-Kuwari, and HE the Ambassador-designate of the State of Qatar to Germany Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud al-Thani, affirmed the strength and diversity of the partnership that binds the State of Qatar to Germany in many fields, including political, economic, social and cultural.
The State of Qatar is interested in further strengthening the excellent relations between the two countries and peoples, which is the goal that we set as ambassadors in our minds, the speech added.
It indicated that the world is facing great challenges today, which requires that priority be given in the coming months to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, addressing its ramifications, returning quickly to sustainable and growing economic production, relaunching international trade and strengthening its stability.
Global issues such as climate change, achieving the transition in the field of energy and transportation, in addition to digitalisation, require joint international efforts, and the Qatari goal in this context is to push the efforts of joint work to find sustainable solutions capable of achieving future goals in light of the increasing international networking that the world is witnessing, the joint speech added.
It explained that this economic guide comes as a contribution to expanding the distinguished co-operation between Qatar and Germany, by helping to explore opportunities for mutual economic and investment cooperation to face political and economic challenges by adopting the initiative and joint action.
The free industrial zones that have been established recently in Qatar provide, through the excellent conditions they enjoy, a guarantee of economic growth, at a time when Qatar's ambitious plans to diversify its economy play a pivotal role in promoting close bilateral economic co-operation with friendly countries such as Germany, the speech added.
On the Qatari vision to raise investments in the German economy, the speech stressed that Qatar is determined to strengthen cooperation with small and medium-sized companies in Germany, which have proven their ability to perform and rich in creativity and innovations, as the Qatari economy can be an important partner to support it in expanding its commercial business inside Germany and pushing its efforts to enter new markets.
It indicated that Qatar is greatly determined to make great contributions to promoting prosperity and achieving peace, and encouraging dialogue and peaceful coexistence in the region.
It said that hosting major sporting events such as the 2022 World Cup, with its great opportunities for bilateral co-operation, plays a role in this context.
On the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Qatari economy, the speech affirmed that the Qatari economy has demonstrated during this crisis the extent of its flexibility to withstand crises and its ability to perform against competitors, pointing to Qatar Airways' success through its courage and farsightedness in expanding its business in a very remarkable way.
Their Excellencies in their welcoming speech expressed their conviction of the richness of the opportunities that investment in Qatar holds for new companies seeking to enter the Qatari market and the ability of the conditions that Qatar enjoys to enhance the existing cooperation with German companies operating there.
HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, former energy minister of Qatar and a member of the Board of Directors of the NUMOV association, spoke in his opening speech about the progress made by the existing bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Germany.
HE al-Attiyah explained that this co-operation is not limited to the economic field, but extends to include the political field, including joint work to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and to take joint steps to achieve stability in energy prices and combat international terrorism to ensure the security of maritime transport routes and preserve freedom of trade.
HE al-Attiyah added that the Qatari market embraces more than 300 German companies in the fields of manufacturing, services, communications, transportation, and infrastructure, expressing his conviction of the extent of the attractiveness of the Qatari market in other sectors.
Helene Rang, CEO of NUMOV, said that the steps Qatar has made are worthy of respect, as it succeeded in a few years in making great strides and transformed into a world-class player despite the blockade imposed by its neighbours.
She described Qatar's reputation with German investors as "excellent," and thanked HE al-Kuwari for his initiative to produce this economic guide in the best way.
Chairman of NUMOV and President of WILMS group Johann Erich Wilms described the relations between Qatar and Germany as distinguished relations, which are witnessing rapid and remarkable development, expressing his conviction that the Qatari market holds many investment opportunities for German companies.
The Economic Guide — Qatar book puts in the hands of German economists important instructions and information on the nature of economic activities in the State of Qatar, their size, and the wide investment opportunities in them.
It also opens up a wide space for talking about Qatari economic institutions and bodies and provides important guidance on the legal frameworks regulating the Qatari market and the investment environment that supports foreign capital.
The economic guide also provides an overview of the State of Qatar, including information, figures and statistics about the economic, investment and demographic situation in it, as well as a quick overview of the political system, and the foundations of the Qatari foreign and regional policy that adopts dialogue and mediation to peacefully resolve crises as its principle, in addition to the main pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030, and provides a comprehensive overview of the business climate and the Qatar investment environment.
The guide devotes a section to the Qatar Investment Authority, the Qatari investment policy, and the infrastructure in the construction, logistics, and transportation sectors.
It explains the energy sector and its related projects, whether related to liquefied natural gas or the petrochemical industries sector and renewable and alternative energy.
It also provides the reader with a comprehensive view of the manufacturing, food and tourism industries, food security, water security, and the successful steps taken by the State of Qatar concerning self-sufficiency.
It also provides a presentation of the financial and service sector in Qatar, the most important financial and banking institutions, and legal guidance for foreign companies wishing to enter the Qatari market, in addition to a comprehensive list of Qatari bodies, companies, and universities, and their contact information.
