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Qatar Chamber has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Portuguese Industrial Association – Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AIP–CCI), aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two organisations.The signing ceremony, virtually via video conference, was led by Qatar Chamber acting general manager Ali Bu Sherbak al-Mansouri and Portuguese Industrial Association director Filomena Pina Perez.The MoU aims to promote business development, encourage investment in Qatar and Portugal, and support the establishment of company branches in both countries. It also seeks to foster joint efforts to capitalise on emerging international business opportunities in the current global economic environment.It places particular emphasis on market research, consultancy services, knowledge and expertise exchange, the promotion of trade delegations, and enhanced cooperation between Qatari and Portuguese companies.Al-Mansouri stated that the MoU represents an important step toward strengthening cooperation between the two organisations and further enhancing the economic and trade relations between Qatar and Portugal.He highlighted the strong and longstanding ties between Qatar and Portugal, noting that there are promising opportunities to expand cooperation between the private sectors of both countries.He noted that the agreement provides an effective framework for strengthening communication between Qatari and Portuguese businesses, facilitating the exchange of information, organising business meetings and trade missions, and exploring available investment opportunities.Al-Mansouri expressed his hope that this cooperation would contribute to increasing bilateral trade, encouraging mutual investments, and supporting the establishment of new joint ventures and partnerships in sectors of common interest.Perez said the signing of the MoU would help strengthen cooperation between the business communities of both countries, encourage the exchange of trade delegations, and stimulate reciprocal investment.She also expressed her hope that the coming period would witness visits by Qatari business delegations to Portugal to explore investment opportunities, particularly in the industrial sector, while noting the Portuguese side's strong interest in learning more about the investment opportunities available in Qatar. 

His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met Wednesday with Portuguese ambassador to Qatar Paulo Neves Pocinho, on the end of his tenure. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs thanked the ambassador for his efforts in supporting and strengthening bilateral relations, wishing him success in his new duties. 

Qatar Chamber (QC) discussed on Sunday with Portuguese Industrial Association (AIP), bilateral trade and economic relations between Qatar and Portugal and ways to further develop them, to strengthen ties between the business communities of both countries and enhance the role of the Qatari and Portuguese private sectors.This came in a meeting between Acting Director-General of Qatar Chamber Ali Bu Sharbak Al Mansori, Director of AIP Pina Pires and AIP Project Partner Manul Campos, held at QC's headquarters.In his remarks, Al Mansori praised the strong relations between the two countries, particularly in the commercial and economic fields. He noted that bilateral trade between Qatar and Portugal reached QAR 441 million in 2024, stressing the Chamber's commitment to deepening trade relations with Portugal and expanding partnerships between Qatari companies and their Portuguese counterparts.For her part, Filomena affirmed the interest of Portuguese business owners in exploring available investment opportunities in Qatar and establishing partnerships with Qatari businesspersons and investors -whether in Qatar or Portugal- across various sectors including industry, trade, construction, agriculture, transport, and communications. She invited private sector companies in Qatar to visit Portugal and learn more about the opportunities available there.She added that the visit aims to enhance cooperation and coordination with the Qatar Chamber in organizing joint business events and meetings targeting Qatari and Portuguese companies, as well as hosting trade fairs to showcase the products and services of the private sectors in both countries, pointing out that AIP is the largest business association in Portugal, functioning also as a chamber of commerce and industry.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo Tuesday said next year’s World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers.The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and international goals, also said he would retire from football in “one or two years”.“Definitely, yes,” he told a Saudi forum by video link, when asked if 2026 would be his final World Cup. “I’m gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.”Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would retire “soon”.“Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, it’s probably one or two years I’ll still be at the game,” he said.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals.“I gave everything for football. I’ve been in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything, I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.”Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland Thursday.Last month, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history when he netted twice against Hungary to reach 41 goals, overtaking retired Guatemalan international Carlos Ruiz’s 39. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward is also the all-time leading international goalscorer with 143 strikes. During an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored last week, Ronaldo opened up further about the realities of his looming retirement.“It will be difficult? Yes. Probably will cry, yes. I’m an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes,” he said.Ronaldo joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United for a second time in late 2022, a move that heralded a influx of late-career stars to the oil-rich kingdom.Ronaldo initially signed for 200 million euros a year, according to a source close to Al Nassr at the time, and inked a two-year contract extension in June.Last month, he was named by Bloomberg as the sport’s first billionaire, and topped the Forbes list of highest-paid footballers for the sixth time in a decade.With on-and off-field earnings of an estimated $280mn, Ronaldo will earn more than double that of second-placed rival Lionel Messi during the upcoming season, according to Forbes. Saudi Arabia, which is spending big on sports and entertainment as part of its economic diversification plan, was named as host of the 2034 World Cup last December.Ronaldo also said he knows he will go down in history as one of the best players ever.But can his son Cristiano Jr, who is following in his footsteps by playing for the Portugal Under-16 team, be a better player than his father?“As human beings, we always don’t want anybody being better than us. But I wish my kids will be better than me. I’m never going to be jealous of him,” he said.“I don’t want to add pressure to that, because what I want for him is to be happy. It doesn’t matter if you want to play football or play another sport. Be happy, be free. Don’t be with the pressure of your daddy because that is a lot.“This is a new generation, a different generation. They think different, they live different. But as a father, I’m here to help him to be whatever he wants to be. I will be his support.”