(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Expressing satisfaction over expanding relations between France and Qatar, French ambassador to Qatar Eric Chevallier has said that as many as 120 French companies have established their facilities in Qatar while Qatari investments in France have touched $20bn.
Labelling bilateral relations as 'deeply-rooted, the ambassador said that the joint venture of Total and Qatar Petroleum which was signed last year would come into force on July 14 this year to develop and operate Al-Shaheen offshore oil field.
'The nature of France-Qatar cordial and strong relations is three-fold: the highest level of relations between Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Father Emir H H Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with present and former presidents of France; cooperation between the state institutions of two countries and at people-to-people level, he said in an interview with The Peninsula.
He said that the base of bilateral relations was very 'wide covering almost all fields from security to sport. 'This wide relationship covers almost all fields: politics, security, military, economy, education, culture, science, health, sport, etc, said the ambassador.
Chevallier said that many French citizens were coming to work in Qatar and many Qataris used to visit France for tourism and business purposes.
Citing 2015 figures, the ambassador said that France was the second largest country in the world in terms of exports to Qatar. Last year alone, exports from France to Qatar were worth around $1.8bn.
'It is good for our economy but also contributes to Qatar's development through our technology, expertise and direct investments in Qatar economy.
The ambassador said that France was also second largest destination for Qatari investments. 'In total, Qatari investments in France have touched $20bn.
Chevallier said that Qatar was investing in buying shares of major French companies as well as in sectors of hospitality, housing and real estate.
'These investments are at both public and private levels; through Qatar Investment Authority's affiliated entities, and also include personal investments.
Asked about the type of products mainly being imported in Qatar from France, the ambassador said that they included airplanes, electrical and mechanical equipment, steel products and last but not the least, luxury items.
The ambassador said that as many as 120 French companies had established their offices and business units in Qatar. 'And it does not include franchises he added.
He said that Qatar Petroleum-Total agreement which was signed last year would come into force on July 14 this year. 'Under the deal, a joint venture of both companies will develop and operate Al Shaheen oil field for the next 25 years, said the ambassador.
Chevallier said that France was also very active in services-sector and was not only providing services to Qatar in various fields but was also 'heavily involved in capacity building of Qatari citizens.
'Qatar University has established a cybersecurity chair in collaboration with Thalegrave;s, a French company. Last November several countries organized a successful conference on energy, and environment with Qatar Foundation and Qatar University for capacity building and knowledge sharing in the field of engineering with Qatari professionals.
The ambassador said that Dassault, a French company, would not only provide warplanes to Qatar under a contract signed in 2015 but was also imparting training to Qatari pilots, technicians, etc. 'Dassault has also developed a partnership with Qatar University for capacity building of Qatari nationals in aeronautical engineering.
He said that a number of French companies had been awarded big contracts in Qatar; in the development of new airport, new port, Lusail city, etc. 'Therefore, we think French companies have duty and responsibility to develop capacity of Qataris and we are committed to that.
He said that Qatar's healthcare institutions had signed agreements with Pasteur Institute of France. 'Sanofi - a leading French pharmaceutical company - is standing shoulder to shoulder with Qatari health organizations in the fight against diabetes, the ambassador added.
Highly praising the role of HEC Paris for 'preparing young leaders of Qatar, the ambassador said that one of world's best three business schools - HEC Paris - was training a lot of young leaders of Qatar and above 300 Qataris male and female young professionals had passed executive masters, MBAs from the institution.
'It is an important contribution to Qatar's 2030 vision. It goes with the words of the Emir lsquo;Qatar deserves the best from its citizens'. It goes with Qatar's vision of economic diversification.
Like glorious past, the ambassador thinks the future of bilateral relations is replete with endless prospects and opportunities. 'Along oil and gas, cooperation in fields of transport, solar energy, waste management, water management, cyber security, health etc. are on the cards for this year.
According to the ambassador, one area on which the most of future bilateral cooperation rests upon is innovation and new technologies. 'Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC) in agreement with its French equivalent in Paris is enhancing mutual cooperation that will consequently help Qatari entrepreneurs to learn from our experiences on launching startups.
Asked to comment on Qatar's vision of transformation from hydrocarbon to knowledge-based economy, his reply was: 'Wise approach, smart approach. He said that Qatar was pursuing its agenda of having diversified-economy with strong commitment using all available means. 'That is why the signs of its success have already started appearing.
He said that Qatar's strategy of adding value to sport was leading its economic diversification vision. 'This strategy will yield desired results and will prove very effective.
Describing sport strategy in Qatar as 'impressive, the ambassador said that a number of French companies were contributing to it. 'We are keen to be a part of it.
Chevallier said that the lsquo;Future French Champions' was a joint initiative of Qatar Investment Authority and its French equivalent - CDC International - which was helping Qatari investors to explore new opportunities of investing in young yet promising French companies. 'Under the same initiative, five innovative young French companies have been selected for Qatari-French joint investments.
He said France was extending cooperation to Qatar's Lekhwiya, Ministry of Interior, as well as law and justice department. 'Within this framework, we are cooperating in many fields.
Equipped with a vast experience of holding mega sports events, France is now sharing its knowledge and expertise with Qatar. 'Security of major events especially major sports events is the new area of cooperation which started from Asian Games 2006 in which our experts worked with Qatari professionals on how to provide foolproof security to such events. France is a world leader in sports events and has held mega sports events. Therefore our teams are working together with Qatari law enforcing authorities and Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy for many years on this subject.
He said that Qatari officials were in France to see security arrangements of Euro 2016 Championship while French experts assisted Qatari government in making security arrangements for recently held World Handball Championship and World Cycling Championship in Doha.
The ambassador said that the embassy had issued around 30,000 visas in 2016 in all categories- tourist, business and student predominantly tourist visas. 'Around half of them were issued to Qatari nationals and half to residents from different nationalities, he said, adding Qatari nationals were issued visas on fast-track in just 24 hours that in some cases might take maximum time of 48 hours. He said that number of French people residing in Qatar had also increased by 10% between 2015-2016.
To a question about refugees from war-torn middle-eastern countries, Chevallier said that France had always welcomed refugees in the last many decades and France was 'built by people coming there and contributing to its progress. 'There may be lesser refugees from Syria in France as compared to some other European countries such as Germany, but we are for a long time hosting many refugees also from other African countries.
On cultural ties and exchanges between the two countries, the ambassador said that they were closely-knitted and by the end of next month (March), France was going to celebrate 'francophone countries days in Qatar. 'Here reside around 200,000 people from francophone countries in Qatar.
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