Italian Design Day celebrates growing cultural, economic with Qatar

Italian design and the growing partnership between Qatar and Italy took centre stage as part of Italian Design Day in Doha, showcasing projects from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar).The event also served, it is learnt, as a platform to spotlight the increasing creative and commercial connections between the two nations.Speaking yesterday at the reception at the ambassador’s residence in Qatar, Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Maria Tripodi underlined the importance of this relationship during her visit to Doha and meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Trade Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sayed.This, she stressed, underscored Italy’s significance as Qatar’s first European and third global trade partner – a position she attributed to her country’s contribution to Qatar’s National Vision 2030."This is an achievement of which our country is proud, for the contribution we have made within the ambitious ‘Vision 2030’ of Qatar,” she said.Tripodi expressed her satisfaction at seeing Italian companies thrive in Doha, lauding their "professionalism, reliability, and ability to adapt”.She reiterated her ministry’s commitment to supporting the "Sistema Paese”, fostering collaborative growth between Italian businesses, individuals, and institutions, both in Qatar and Italy.A highlight of the celebration was the showcase of design projects by students from VCUarts Qatar, a university recognised as a hub of creative industries in the region."Today’s event is a delightful occasion for me to reconnect with this university’s path, an excellence in the field of creative industries here in Qatar, in which the Italian contribution is of primary importance,” Tripodi said, commending the students’ work.She cited the role of such collaborations in strengthening cultural ties, allowing young people to "appreciate the opportunities of connections between Italy and Qatar as a chance for growth, understanding, and for building lasting relationships for the future”.In his speech, Italian ambassador Paolo Toschi highlighted the unifying power of design."This is the time of the year when we focus on design as a very important part of our friendship (with Qatar) because it connects minds, it connects technology, it connects businesses, and it connects hearts,” he said.He acknowledged the contributions of Italian companies operating in Qatar, recognising their dedication to "quality and a passion for creation”.