(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
The Peninsula
Doha: The Qatari-Tunisian Business Forum kicked off yesterday at the headquarter of the Qatar Chamber in the presence of Tunisian Minister of Economy, Finance, and Investment Support, H E Ali Kooli and President of the Tunisian Union of Industry and Commerce H E Samir Majoul.
The Qatari side was presided over by Qatar Chamber's Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani and attended by of several QC board members and many leading businessmen. Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the State of Qatar, H E Sami Al Saadi was also present at the meeting.
The meeting touched on discussing ways of enhancing economic and commercial ties between the private sectors of both countries, as well as promoting mutual investments and establishing alliances between Qatari and Tunisian companies.
It also witnessed exploring investment climate in both countries through many presentations delivered by both parties.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Qatar Chamber and the Tunisian Union of Industry and Commerce signed an agreement for establishing a Joint Businessmen Council.
Addressing the forum, the Tunisian Minister stressed that the two countries are associated with deep and distinct relations, pointing out to the strong desire of the Tunisian side to further develop cooperation ties in commerce, industry and investment.
He called Qatari businessmen to invest in Tunisia, indicating that there exist several concessions for Qatari investors.
He also cited the Qatari successful investments in Tunisia like Ooredoo which is one on the largest companies in Tunisia and an evident example of the distinguished fraternal relations between both countries.
For his part, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani praised the distinguished fraternal relation between Qatar and Tunisia, noting that these relations have greatly developed within the past few years, especially after the mutual visits of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Tunisia in February 2020 and the visit of President of the brotherly Republic of Tunisia, Kais Saied, to Qatar in November last year.
Sheikh Khalifa also said these visits have had a great impact on giving a new impetus to the relations between the two countries, especially on the economic and investment side, indicating that they witnessed signing of many agreements and MoUs which paved the way for business sectors to consolidate cooperation in order to achieve a genuine economic partnership that reflects the strength of these relations and meets the aspirations of the two fraternal countries.
He also stressed the importance of developing trade exchange between both countries which is still below expectations despite their strong relations and the huge potentials available in both sides, indicating that there are many joint Tunisian-Qatari companies operating in Qatar in several sectors such as trade, services, contracting, tourism, eateries and real estate.
As for investments, Sheikh Khalifa said that Qatari investments in Tunisia have seen significant development within the past few years, noting that the Qatari private sector owns numerous investments in Tunisia in several vital sectors such as tourism and banks.
'Qatar offers a great deal of promising investment opportunities in all fields and industries, especially in services and tourism sectors as the host of FIFA World Cup 2022 approaches he said, adding that the State has developed a state-of-the art infrastructure and issued many legislations and laws that improved business and investment environment, as well as it offered plenty of incentives that enhanced its status and a leading and attractive destination for investment.
These incentives offer a myriad of opportunities that attract Tunisian investors, he stressed.
QC Chairman also pointed out that the Chamber would organize a business visit for Qatari businessmen to Tunisia in June or July this year to help them learn about the investment opportunities available in Tunisia and review horizons of cementing cooperation in economic and commercial aspects.
On his part, President of Tunisian Union for Industry and Commerce Samir Majoul said that the meeting confirmed the keenness on both sides to develop their commercial relations and increase joint investments, pointing to the need to develop their trade volume which is still modest despite their robust relations.
For his part, QC Board Member and CEO of the Qatari Manufacturing Company Abdulrahman Al Ansari shared his experience in investment in Tunisia, noting that a feasibility study is in the pipeline for the establishment of an aluminum plant in Tunisia.
Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) CEO Sheikh Ali bin Al Waleed Al Thani commended the cooperation relation between the two countries, stressing the importance of promoting investment opportunities in both sides.
During the meeting, IPA Qatar manager of Investor Relations Hamad Rashid Al Naimi delivered a presentation on Qatar's investment climate, while Abdelbasset Ghanmi, General Manager at the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency delivered a presentation about investment opportunities available in Tunisia.
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