HE Mr Saqar bin Mubarak Al Mansouri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, announced that three new agreements between Doha and Islamabad will be signed during the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan today.

Ambassador Al-Mansouri in an interview with Lusail said that the new agreements will cover the fields of trade, investment and tourism. HE expected that these agreements will push forward the economic relations between the two countries, adding that the trade exchange between the two countries has reached about 2 billion dollars annually, explaining that recent economic reforms and legislations in Qatar have helped to attract Pakistani investment in Qatar.

HE The Ambassador added that there are many commercial opportunities for Qataris in the fields of agriculture and power generation in Pakistani market, pointing out that a delegation of Qatar Investment Authority recently visited Pakistan and discussed investment in various fields. HE added that the shipping line between Hamad and Karachi ports has contributed to increasing trade relations between The two countries.

 

What is the importance of HH The Amir's visit to Pakistan?

Undoubtedly, the 2nd visit of His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Pakistan, especially when Qatar has good developed relations with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, comes within the framework of enhancing bilateral relations in various fields.

As you know, Qatar-Pak relations have developed in various fields such as trade and energy cooperation. Qatar exports more than 3 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan every year and there is multilateral cooperation in trade sector, as there are about 1,400 joint companies working in various fields.

 

 

What agreements will be signed during the visit of His Highness The Amir?

The agreements which will be signed during today’s visit of His Highness the Amir, will cover the fields of trade, investment and tourism, as well as cooperation between the financial units. We expect these three agreements to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in the coming period.

 

 

How much is the volume of trade exchange between the two countries?

The volume of trade exchange between the two countries has now reached 2 billion dollars, especially since cooperation between Qatar and Pakistan has become continuous, after the launch of the shipping line between Karachi port and Hamad port in Doha, as it helped to increase trade exchange between the two countries.

There are many investment opportunities for Qatar in Pakistani market in areas such as agriculture and power generation. We expect that, through HH The Amir's visit, the possibility of investing in these areas will be explored, especially since two months ago a delegation from Qatar Investment Authority visited Pakistan, and discussed number of issues, including enhancing investment and trade cooperation between the two countries. We hope to reach an agreement on investment in energy and agriculture sectors and there are other areas open for all. Even in the Qatari market, there are investment opportunities for Pakistan and currently there are about 7 companies 100% owned by Pakistanis operating in Qatari market.

During the past two years there has been a great development in the field of economic cooperation between the two countries in various sectors such as construction and medical equipment. Both sides welcomed this development followed by bilateral official visits. Months ago, HE the Minister of Trade and Industry visited Pakistan with a large delegation of businessmen and an event was organized for Qatari and Pakistani businessmen where a number of agreements were signed. This all reflects the great activity in the framework of strengthening relations between the two countries during the last period in accordance with the directives of the leadership of the two countries.

 

How do you evaluate Pak - Qatar relations?

Pak - Qatar relations are constantly evolving, as we have strategic and historical ties with Pakistan and we seek to strengthen and support them in various fields. This is because Pakistan is a very important country for us and it has its value in the region. The High Command urges us to do more to strengthen relations between Pakistan and Qatar.

 

How are the investments between the two countries?

There are a number of investments between the two countries and Qatar regards the Pakistani market as promising opportunity for investments. There are already many Qatari investments in Pakistan such as the investments of Nebras Energy Company, which visited Pakistan and held talks with the officials and agreed to sign an agreement in the field of energy and it will be done soon. Pakistan is in need of energy, therefore, investment in power plants will be mutually beneficial investments.

There are other investments in the private sector and we expect that the new investments will meet the aspirations of the two countries. Some private companies are contributing to increase the value of trade exchange between the two countries. We also export 3 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually to Pakistan and there is interest in increasing Qatari gas exports to Pakistan. We are optimistic about the development of relations between the two countries for the benefit of the both brotherly nations.

We must not forget the great role played by the Pakistani brothers working in Qatar, as we have more than 100,000 Pakistanis participating in the development and progress of Qatar. We appreciate their efforts and thank them for their contributions in this regard.

 

What are the results of the visit of the HE the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Doha?

Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr Imran Khan, visited Doha in the beginning of the year and discussed means of boosting cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially investment, energy, food security and military cooperation, as well as exchanging views on current regional and international issues of common interest.

His Highness the Amir held successful talks on a number of topics concerning cooperation between the two countries and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. The visit was successful, proven by the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani within a short period of about 3 months, that shows the development of bilateral ties continuously.

 

What is the role of reforms and new economic legislations in promoting cooperation between the two countries?

Undoubtedly, Qatar has made many economic reforms and legal legislations that contribute to attracting foreign investments. These reforms find their impact on the ground. There are about 7 Pakistani companies with 100% ownership in the Qatari market.

Economic reforms have been strongly attracting Pakistani and other businessmen, and the laws Qatar recently issued have encouraged business community, as evidenced by the increase in the number of foreign companies in Qatari market. These laws have spurred businessmen to enter Qatar.

We at the Embassy, receive continuous inquiries and messages from Chambers of Commerce, businessmen and Pakistani investors about the investment climate in Qatar in various fields, the possibility of introducing agricultural products to Qatar and participating in the field of construction and contracting. The cancellation of entry visa requirement for Pakistanis, has helped to facilitate the entry of investors to the market, to know more about the opportunities available and communicate with the businessmen and

the Chamber of Commerce in Qatar. All these factors, including the laws of course, have contributed to stimulate and encourage the various economic sectors to enter into partnerships in Qatar.

 

What are the opportunities in tourism between the two countries?

As I mentioned to you, an agreement will be signed in the field of tourism between the two countries. There is a desire from the Qatari side and there was a Qatari investment delegation that visited Pakistan to discuss this field, especially as Pakistan has many tourist areas with promising opportunities and the security situation is better for investment. There are views and ideas regarding investment in hotels and moving forward to services sector, that has been put forward and we expect to find the desire and implementation from the both sides.

 

There are a number of facilities offered to Qatari businessmen in the Pakistani market, including visa facilitation. We have discussions with the brothers in Pakistan about some laws that facilitate the entry of foreign investments and there is a positive response in this regard. As you know, Pakistan has provinces and every province has its own regime and laws, but in general Pakistan has a good tendency to attract foreign investment.

We also find investment opportunities in Pak - China Economic Corridor, known as the (Belt and Road Initiative). The Pakistani government is very focused on the development of Gwadar port because it is one of the important Pakistani ports in the Arabian Sea and for us in Qatar, having great investment opportunities. There are countries that have already expressed their desire to invest and participate in the development of this port. Therefore, the early entry into this project is better than coming later because the chance of success of the project is greater at first with good returns