Qatar-Italy business meeting highlights trade, investment opportunities

Qatar Chamber recently hosted the ‘Qatar-Italy Roundtable Business Meeting’ in the presence of Valentino Valentini, Deputy Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani.Also present at the event were Saleh bin Majid al-Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs and Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, several Qatar Chamber board members, and businessmen and representatives from companies on both sides.Valentini emphasised that the meeting represented an important step in strengthening fruitful relations between both countries, noting that the Italian delegation comprised numerous leading firms and businessmen from the energy, healthcare, ICT, infrastructure, banking, and real estate sectors, among others.The Italian official lauded the significant development Qatar is witnessing, saying the country has become a hub for business and investment. He also noted Italy’s similar ambition to become a hub for business and investment, citing numerous legislative reforms aimed at streamlining the business environment, particularly in sectors abundant with investment opportunities."Qatar and Italy share common interests in trade and investment, aspiring to serve as models in the realm of business and investment. Italy, for its part, is keen to strengthen cooperation relations with Qatar across all fields,” Valentini added.Citing Italy as an important and promising trade and economic partner, Sheikh Khalifa highlighted the robust and rapidly-growing relations between Qatar and Italy, with bilateral trade witnessing an 80% growth in 2023 to reach QR20bn from QR11.1bn in 2018.As for mutual investments, Sheikh Khalifa noted that there are many Italian companies operating in Qatar in various industries, including building materials, construction machinery and equipment, Information Technology, trade, services, and other vital sectors. He also pointed to many Qatari successful investments in Italy in different sectors, such as real estate and hospitality.Sheikh Khalifa emphasised that the Qatari private sector is eager to strengthen cooperation links with its Italian counterpart by establishing trade alliances and long-term partnerships. He also reiterated the chamber’s support for fostering convergence and cooperation between the business sectors of both nations.Furthermore, Sheikh Khalifa invited Italian companies to invest in Qatar, highlighting its world-class infrastructure, supportive business environment, and advanced economic legislation, which allows for 100% ownership by foreign investors across almost all sectors.Al-Khulaifi said Italy is an important partner for Qatar and one of the most important destinations for Qatari investments, highlighting numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding that were signed between both countries.He commended the valuable efforts of Italian companies operating in Qatar, noting their contributions to supporting Qatar’s economic diversification plans in line with the key sectors identified within Qatar National Vision 2030.Al-Khulaifi invited Italian investors and companies to benefit from Qatar’s distinguished economic and investment environment, which provides various incentives and legislation aimed at encouraging foreign investors, businessmen, and company owners.During the meeting, Maryam Hamad al-Malki, a senior executive of Investor Relations at the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar), delivered a presentation on Qatar’s investment climate, opportunities, and incentives. She also outlined the procedures for doing business and highlighted the opportunities offered by the free zones for foreign investors.In turn, Roberto Rizzardo, head of FDI Invitalia, reviewed the investment opportunities available in Italy, which is one of the important economies in the G20 Group and a gateway to the European market. He also highlighted the most promising sectors for investment, such as chemical industries, green technology, food, electronics, ICT, and cybersecurity, among others.