Qatar and South Africa recorded a 37% growth in both countries’ total trade volume to reach QR1.2bn in 2021 over QR786mn in the previous year, it was announced during a business forum on Monday.
Held online, the ‘Qatar-South Africa Business Forum’ was attended by Qatar Chamber first vice chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari; Thulani Mpetsheni, the director of Asia and Middle East Region, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic); and Mtho Xulu, the president of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry; alongside a number of representatives of companies from both countries.
Al-Kuwari said Qatar-South Africa relations witnessed “great momentum” within the past few years, citing South Africa as an “important trade partner.”
He also stressed the strong relations between both countries, which are evident through mutual visits between leaders, government officials, and private sector representatives, as well as the agreements signed between both parties in many fields.
Al-Kuwari said, “There is a certain desire from both sides towards levelling up their co-operation relations in all areas. Qatar achieved tangible success in investing in the continent of Africa and there is remarkable investment interest in Africa through the signing of agreements with friendly countries and private sector companies.”
On Qatari investments in South Africa, he noted that Qatar invested in many sectors, such as oil, mining, and petrochemicals, which is an indication that the then Qatar Petroleum (now QatarEnergy) signed deals with TotalEnergies on entering three more offshore exploration blocks in South Africa.
“South Africa is one of the most important destinations for Qatari investments, as it is rife with promising opportunities that attract Qatari investors,” al-Kuwari pointed out.
Al-Kuwari said Qatar Chamber will encourage Qatari businessmen to explore investment opportunities in South Africa. He said the chamber welcomes South African investments into the Qatari market. It also supports companies from both countries in establishing commercial alliances and genuine partnerships that would benefit the economies of both countries.
On his part, Mpetsheni lauded the close relations between both countries, which are bolstered through mutual investments, as well as the agreements signed in different fields. He stressed that Qatar is a “strategic trade partner” of South Africa and that there is a keen interest to develop its exports to Qatar and increase bilateral trade exchange.
Xulu underscored the South African Chamber’s keenness to develop cooperation relations between companies from both sides, citing the possibility of organising a visit for South African businessmen to Qatar.
He also said there are many sectors in South Africa that attract Qatari investors, such as mining, manufacturing, technology, agriculture, and food security sectors. He invited Qatari companies to invest in his country and cooperate with their South African counterparts.
Al-Kuwari said Qatar-South Africa relations witnessed “great momentum” within the past few years, citing South Africa as an “important trade partner.”
He also stressed the strong relations between both countries, which are evident through mutual visits between leaders, government officials, and private sector representatives, as well as the agreements signed between both parties in many fields.
Al-Kuwari said, “There is a certain desire from both sides towards levelling up their co-operation relations in all areas. Qatar achieved tangible success in investing in the continent of Africa and there is remarkable investment interest in Africa through the signing of agreements with friendly countries and private sector companies.”
On Qatari investments in South Africa, he noted that Qatar invested in many sectors, such as oil, mining, and petrochemicals, which is an indication that the then Qatar Petroleum (now QatarEnergy) signed deals with TotalEnergies on entering three more offshore exploration blocks in South Africa.
“South Africa is one of the most important destinations for Qatari investments, as it is rife with promising opportunities that attract Qatari investors,” al-Kuwari pointed out.
Al-Kuwari said Qatar Chamber will encourage Qatari businessmen to explore investment opportunities in South Africa. He said the chamber welcomes South African investments into the Qatari market. It also supports companies from both countries in establishing commercial alliances and genuine partnerships that would benefit the economies of both countries.
On his part, Mpetsheni lauded the close relations between both countries, which are bolstered through mutual investments, as well as the agreements signed in different fields. He stressed that Qatar is a “strategic trade partner” of South Africa and that there is a keen interest to develop its exports to Qatar and increase bilateral trade exchange.
Xulu underscored the South African Chamber’s keenness to develop cooperation relations between companies from both sides, citing the possibility of organising a visit for South African businessmen to Qatar.
He also said there are many sectors in South Africa that attract Qatari investors, such as mining, manufacturing, technology, agriculture, and food security sectors. He invited Qatari companies to invest in his country and cooperate with their South African counterparts.