Chairman of the German Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW), Christoph Ahlhaus hailed Qatar as one of Germany's key political and economic partner countries.
Interviewed by Qatar News Agency (QNA), Ahlhaus said that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's visit to Germany "sends a very strong signal, especially to SMEs, which view Qatar as a key business and future partner".
Commenting on the Qatari market opportunities, he said that many SMEs view Qatar as "a reliable and capable partner for future growth as well as an attractive market.
"Furthermore, Qatar can serve as a stable economic hub for business activities across the Near and Middle East".
He added that the BVMW provides information and guidance to its members and companies wishing to explore business opportunities in Qatar.
"Companies who are entering a new market and new culture have many, many questions. We aim to address these questions with the help of our extensive network, thereby clearing any hurdles of a successful start," he said.
He also spoke about the initiatives to further boost relations between SMEs in both countries and if there are any special initiatives that represent a priority in this context, the Chairman of the BVMW said that Qatar is a very important partner for Germany and is of growing political and economic importance. He said, "The BVMW is fully prepared to offer information and guidance to companies who are interested in establishing successful business ventures in or with Qatar.
He added that this support can be made from the BVMW's offices in Germany or Doha.
He added the BVMW is organising a delegation trip to Qatar to measure German companies interest in investing in Qatar, and when they can establish new businesses in Doha.
Asked if there were plans to organise events or trade missions to help German SMEs enter the Qatari market, Ahlhaus voiced hopes the Qatari companies can engage in the annual SME Future Day 2025 (Mittelstand) in Berlin.
"It will be a very, very big exhibition of the German SMEs and with many politicians. So maybe this could be a point where Qatar can also be engaged and show what they can offer for German companies to come and to invest in Qatar," he said.
He expressed his happiness at His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's visit to Germany, the bilateral friendship and the special, unique and successful co-operation between the two countries, which will undoubtedly reflect positively on the future of bilateral co-operation.
