Qatar's ambassador to Singapore Saoud bin Jassim al-Jufairi said that Singapore President Halimah Yacob's visit to Qatar is important for the two countries, as it contributes to the development and strengthening of relations, during which a number of agreements and memorandum of understanding will be signed.
He said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the visit bears a distinctive character, as it is the first visit by a Singaporean president since His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani assumed power, and the second presidential visit from Singapore in general, as the first presidential visit was in 2009 by the former president SR Nathan.
He added that Qatar and Singapore have a solid relationship that extends back more than 35 years, supported by strong political and economic co-operation and a partnership that binds them on various military, security, legal, health, educational, technological, and investment levels.
The ambassador pointed out that Qatar ranks third among Singapore's largest trading partners among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Middle East, whilst the Republic of Singapore is Qatar's sixth trading partner, adding that most of Qatari investments in Singapore are in the financial, insurance, and real estate sectors, while pointing out that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) recently opened a regional representative office in Singapore to generate investment opportunities in Asia.
He indicated that the Qatar-Singapore High-Level Joint Committee (HLJC), which was established in 2006 to enhance bilateral co-operation, is the cornerstone of bilateral relations and a platform that reflects the keenness of the two countries and their firm desire to develop and strengthen these relations in various fields. The committee has held seven meetings since its establishment, which resulted in the signing of more than 30 agreements and memorandums of understanding that contributed to taking relations to higher levels.
He added that the total number of agreements and MoUs signed through the HLJC and the official visits of the public and private sectors amount to more than 55 agreements and memorandums of understanding. The ambassador stressed that the two countries are working to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, as Qatar is looking for a solid base for its exports throughout the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and East Asian countries. Singapore, on the other hand, wants to maintain close relations with the Arab Gulf states and consolidate its role as a major center for oil and gas in the countries of Southeast Asia.
Qatar's ambassador to Singapore Saoud bin Jassim al-Jufairi
