Iran, Qatar Sign MoU after Holding 8th Joint Commission

Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz al-Thani said that Emir of Qatar has emphasized the need for the implementation of economic agreements inked between the two countries of Iran and Qatar. Speaking in a meeting with visiting Iranian Minister of Energy Ali Akbar Mehrabian in Qatari capital of Doha on Monday afternoon, Prime Minister of Qatar said that, according to the order of Emir of Qatar, all Qatari officials are ready to sign necessary contracts to implement the agreements inked by the two countries' heads of state stipulated in the documents of 8th Iran-Qatar Joint Economic Commission held earlier today in Doha. Emir of Qatar also issued necessary order to examine field of Iran's participation and cooperation in successful holding of 2022 World Cup, the prime minister added. Tourism and health are two areas of cooperation in 2022 World Cup, he said, stating that it has been emphasized on taking necessary coordination for the development of trade relations between the two countries after the World Cup.

Iran and Qatar held the eighth meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation and signed a memorandum of understanding to increase bilateral economic and trade cooperation on Monday. An Iranian delegation headed by energy minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian attended the eighth meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation between Iran and Qatar in Doha on Monday.

At the end of the joint commission meeting, Iran and Qatar inked a memorandum of understanding. The MoU is in the fields of transit, transportation, industry and trade, energy, customs and free zones, tourism, cultural heritage, agriculture, sports, etc.

"One of the most important goals of the meeting is to support the Iranian and Qatari private sectors, and we are happy to see that a large conference with the participation of Iranian businessmen is being held in Doha at the same time as the meeting of the joint commission," Mehrabian said "During the day, eight very important memoranda of understanding on food, medical industry, knowledge-based companies, etc. have been signed between businessmen of the two countries, which indicates the existence of a suitable market for the two countries," he added.

The Iranian energy minister continued that Iran and Qatar have set financial goals for 2023 and hope to see doubled economic relations and trade balance between the two countries. Referring to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Mehrabian said that the Qatar World Cup is definitely one of the golden opportunities for business people, which can enhance economic and trade relations between the two countries in various ways.

Also, Iran and Qatar on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint trade council which held its first session in Doha on the same day. According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the document was signed by Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and his Iranian Counterpart Gholam-Hossein Shafei in Doha. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani hailed the formation of the council that makes up of elites of different economic sectors of the two countries. He said that the council will help discover investment opportunities in both countries and develop mutual cooperation. The Qatari official also stressed the importance of the positive role that the private sector can play in developing trade between the two sides.

Shafei, on his part, announced Iran’s willingness to boost trade ties with Qatar and said that there are numerous grounds for cooperation in this regard. Sheikh Al-Thani said that trade ties between the two countries have been growing, as they increased by 34% in 2021 compared to a year earlier. He said that many Iranian companies are currently cooperating with Qatari firms in different fields such as maintenance, services as well as gas and energy. He added that the two countries can further expand their cooperation through the participation of their private sectors in fields such as agriculture, industry and food security, among others. The Qatari official also spoke about his country’s laws and measures to facilitate foreign investment there, and invited Iranian companies to get familiar with the investment opportunities in Qatar.

Alireza Peyman-Pak of Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) also announced Iran’s willingness to develop ties with Qatar in trade and industrial fields. He added that Iran also welcomes joint ventures with Qatar and intends to remove obstacles that businessmen of the two countries are facing. He announced the launch of the Iran Trade Center in Qatar in near future. Referring to the Iranian administration's plan to boost trade, especially with neighboring countries, he said that holding an exhibition and introducing Iran's industrial and commercial capabilities to Qatari traders is on the agenda. An exhibition of Qatar's trade capabilities will also be held in Iran, he added. The Iran Trade Center in Qatar will be opened soon, and the Iranian Trade Advisor in Qatar will start working today, Peyman-Pak said.

In related front, HE the Governor of Qatar Central Bank (QCB) Sheikh Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saoud al-Thani met on Monday with Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahdi Safari, and vice-governor of the Central Bank of Iran Mehdi Goudarzi. During the meeting they reviewed the latest developments in areas of common concern.    - Iran Daily, Mehr, IRNA, Gulf Times