German firms 'eager to explore' Qatari market, says trade office representative

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The German industry & Commerce Office Qatar (AHK) is witnessing a surge in enquiries among businesses in Germany that are eager to explore the Qatari market through face-to-face meetings in the coming period.
According to AHK representative Kathrin Lemke, the enquiries from German companies signifies the development and further strengthening of Qatar and Germany's economic relationship.
Lemke said the AHK is expecting delegations from Germany to visit Qatar in October, while on September, Qatar will be showcased in an international symposium hosted by the German federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).
“Generally speaking, we've had many enquiries lately from German companies regarding Qatar's entry restrictions and they're asking us when they'd be able to fly in again for in-person business meetings,” Lemke told Gulf Times.
“After a long period of not being able to come to the country, many are eager to catch up with their business partners and get updates on the latest developments,” Lemke also said.
Lemke said the BMWi will host a hybrid (physical and virtual) 'International Symposium 2021' in Berlin on September 9 under the theme 'Developing Digital Technologies from a Political, Technical, and Intercultural Perspective'.
The international symposium is expected to showcase political, economic, and cultural co-operation between Qatar and Germany, explained Lemke, saying the event offers German and international stakeholders from industry, research, and politics a platform for networking, professional exchange, and further development of transnational co-operation.
Lemke said:“International co-operation has a high priority for BMWi therefore, it supports a number of bilateral and multinational co-operation projects with selected partner countries in Europe and internationally. During the event, selected international co-operation will be showcased, one of them being Qatar.”
She stressed that participation in the event is by invitation only will take place at the Forum Digital Technologies, Salzufer 6/ Entrance: Otto-Dibelius-Street, 10587 Berlin. Registration is at & lang=2, she noted.
Lemke said:“High-level impulse speeches and panel discussions will provide comprehensive insights and foster further discussions. In addition, there will be numerous opportunities for networking on-site, as well as digitally.”
From October 24-28, Lemke said 12 German companies specialising in the Western European country's civil security technology sector is expected to arrive in Doha to explore investment opportunities available in Qatar.
The companies, which have already confirmed their participation, are specialising in the fields of security applications, automotive security technologies, aerospace defence security systems, cybersecurity, broadcast and media solutions, biometric verification services, and IT security solutions, Lemke noted.
Lemke said:“As part of the delegation programme, we are planning for an information event where local companies will have the chance to meet the delegation and attend B2B meetings. Anybody who is interested to get in touch prior to the event and receive more detailed information on one or multiple companies can reach out to [email protected] ”
She added that the AHK, together with its partners in Germany, is facilitating a market entry trip for German companies from the civil security technology sector as part of the export promotion programme of the BMWi.    

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