Qatar's Minister of Economy and Commerce HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al -Thani has praised the economic relations between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Belgium. HE the Minister chaired the Qatari delegation to the Second Qatari- Belgian Economic Forum held here today.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Forum, HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani stressed the depth of the bilateral relations, which he said, were established and strengthened through the exchange of official visits between the two countries, referring in this regard to the recent visit by HRH Princess Astrid to Qatar, representing the King of Belgium, which formed the luminous station on the road to strengthening the distinct ties between the two countries, in addition to bilateral agreements, which included many areas, adding that this matter has contributed to strengthen the cooperation in various fields especially in economic, trade and investment fields, which reflected positively on the level of commercial exchanges between the two countries, HE the Minister added.
He noted that the volume of trade exchange between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Belgium reached in 2015, about $ 1.6 billion, an increase of 1 percent from 2014, as exports of the State of Qatar to Belgium in 2015 amounted to about $ 1.3 billion, and the volume of direct imports of Qatar from Belgium rose by 7.3 percent compared to 2014 to reach $ 264 million in 2015.
HE the Minister highlighted the role played by the Belgian companies in the completion of several development projects in the State of Qatar, where the number of operating companies in Qatar in partnership with the Qatari side or Belgian ownership of 100 percent of about 31 companies.
HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al -Thani also reviewed the growth rates achieved by the Qatari economy during the year 2015, praising the advanced ranks achieved by Qatar in various global indices, including the Global Competitiveness Index, in which Qatar occupies, the first among Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa and the 14th in the world. In the context of talking about the current conditions in the global economy, given the volatility of oil prices and declining growth rates, called delighted to join efforts to get out of investment partnerships that will enhance immunity economies of both countries. Concluding, HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce expressed the hope that this forum would contribute to increasing the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, as well as establishing effective partnerships and new investments between Qatari businessmen and their Belgian counterparts.
The Qatari delegation to the Second Qatari- Belgian Forum included HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, as well as representatives of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) the Ministry of Energy and Industry, Qatar Foundation, Nebras Power, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), Katara Hospitality Inc., Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Manateq Company, and Qatar Airways.
For his part, Belgian Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Pieter De Crem welcomed HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce and the accompanying delegation, praising the developments taking place in the State of Qatar in all fields. He wished the relations between the two countries further development , and stressed his country's keenness to strengthen the bonds of relations with Qatar.
Meanwhile, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Didier Reynders met with HE Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al -Thani, on the sidelines of the Forum to review bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways of enhancing them ,especially in economic, trade and investment areas.
HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani also met with Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Pieter De Crem to discuss aspects of cooperation in areas of common interest.