Qatar, Pakistan Firms Discuss Boosting Trade Cooperation

Qatar Chamber’s Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani said that Qatar and Pakistan enjoy good economic and trade relations; and the mutual relations are further growing fast with the growing alliance between the leadership and peoples of both countries.

This came during a meeting held at Qatar Chamber premises yesterday, with a Pakistani business delegation led by Vice- Chairman of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Tarek Haleem.

Sheikh Khalifa noted that both countries bilateral trade volume registered a 100 % increase from US$782 million in 2016 to US$1.6 billion in 2017.

“The number of Qatari-Pakistani joint companies operating in Qatar increased to 851 companies in different sectors. In July 2018, the Qatari –Pakistani business forum held in Pakistan provided a good opportunity for both countries’ businessmen to review enhancing cooperation relations and exploring investment climate in both sides,” he added.

He affirmed that the launch of sea route between Hamad Port and the Port of Karachi in Pakistan helped in increasing the imports and exports movement between them.

The door is open for Pakistan companies to cooperate with Qatari firms and establish joint ventures in all fields, he pointed out.

Stressing Qatar’s success in overcoming the siege, Sheikh Khalifa said that this was due to its strong economy and its external relations with friendly countries like Pakistan.

He assured Qatar Chamber’s welcoming to Pakistani companies to take part in these projects, noting that it urges both countries businessmen to establish joint ventures that benefit both countries’ economies.

For his part, head of Pakistani delegation said that Qatar and Pakistan have seen an increase in their relationship during the past few years, noting that Pakistani laborers are participating in building the Qatar of today.

Tarek Haleem pointed out that Pakistan is a key source of Qatar’s food supplies which have risen by more than 70 % during the siege year.

Qatar has also emerged a s Pakistan’s source of LNG and petrochemicals which registered a growth of 37 % during the siege year, he said.