Qatar has succeeded in building a strong strategic partnership with Germany at all levels, becoming an active strategic partner for Germany in the Gulf and the Middle East through intensive efforts and ongoing activities within a flourishing relationship that has lasted for over 50 years.
The relations between Doha and Berlin date back more than 65 years of commercial ties and 50 years of diplomatic relations, established in 1973. Over the years, both countries have demonstrated a mutual commitment to developing and enhancing the growing friendship and cooperation between them.
The visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Germany comes as a renewed expression of this commitment. It represents a new opportunity to enhance bilateral relations, pushing them toward broader horizons that serve common goals, interests, and the aspirations of both peoples. The visit is expected to open wide avenues for further co-operation between the two sides, at levels and scales that serve the interests and aspirations of both countries and their peoples across all dimensions.
In recent years, relations between the two countries have seen significant development, reflected in the increasing high-level visits between them. This was recently highlighted by His Highness the Amir's visit to Berlin in October last year, his working visit to Germany in May 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Doha in September 2022, and the visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeie to Doha last November.
During these visits, an agreement was signed to establish a partnership in the energy sector, aimed at supplying Germany with LNG starting in 2026, which further solidified and elevated the level of relations between the two countries in both political and economic spheres.
This partnership is expected to enhance the diversity of Germany's energy supplies through imports of LNG from Qatar, while also facilitating bilateral co-operation in hydrogen energy and renewable energy sources.
In May last year, Qatar and Germany signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Doha to establish a strategic dialogue between them. This memorandum serves as a new strategic platform to enhance the existing relations between the two countries. It also reflects both sides' desire to create new opportunities for long-term co-operation to strengthen their ties.
The two countries are closely linked by a number of economic agreements and MoU, the most significant of which are agreements in the energy sector, as well as others in industrial, commercial, health, cultural, and sports fields, in addition to solar energy, aviation, and air transport. There was also an agreement to protect and encourage mutual investments, along with an agreement to establish a joint committee for commercial and economic co-operation, which has organized numerous conferences and seminars over the past years.
In this context, Regional Manager of the German Federal Association of small and medium-sized businesses (BVMW) in Qatar Nizar Maarouf said that the Amir's visit represents a unique opportunity to enhance market diversification for the Qatari private sector.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Maarouf said that this visit will contribute to opening new horizons for Qatari businesspersons and expanding cooperation with and expanding cooperation with their German counterparts, he noted, adding that it will also contribute to enhancing economic growth and trade exchange between the two countries.
These official visits create a positive climate for concluding new deals and exploring new markets in various sectors, he added.
Maarouf pointed out that the association signed a MoU with Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council, to boost economic relations, especially in research and development in all areas.
He also said that the visit will also open new doors for German small and medium-sized enterprises to explore opportunities in the Qatari market.
He pointed out that there are currently over 300 German small and medium-sized companies in the Qatari market, operating in diverse sectors, including technology, engineering, and infrastructure, and these companies contribute to strengthening the Qatari economy through significant investments and strategic partnerships. This number is expected to increase after the opening of the association's office in Qatar last year, which will provide new investment opportunities and strengthen the presence of German companies in the region.
He stressed that there are many promising areas for trade co-operation between Qatar and Germany, especially in the sectors of technology, renewable energy, and industrial innovation, adding that there is also great potential for developing joint projects in the areas of infrastructure and transportation, which are part of Qatar's ambitious plans, while the private sectors in both countries can take advantage of these opportunities to enhance cooperation and increase the volume of trade exchange.
Qatari-German economic relations experienced steady growth over the past six decades, with Qatar being the third-largest trading partner for Germany in the Gulf region. The volume of trade between the two countries reached QR7.1bn last year, compared to QR6.8bn in 2022, reflecting an increase of 4.4%.
Germany ranks third among European countries attracting Qatari investments, following the United Kingdom and France. Qatar is one of the largest investors there, with investments amounting to about €25bn, covering sectors such as automotive, telecommunications, hospitality, banking services, and other important sectors.
In September last year, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry signed a strategic partnership agreement with the BVMW to open a representative office for the association in Qatar, the first of its kind in the Gulf region.
More than 300 German companies contribute to the development of the Qatari economy, operating in vital areas such as energy, construction, services, railway development, trade, contracting, telecommunications, medical devices, and other fields.
Qatar holds stakes in major German commercial and banking groups, being the largest shareholder in the automotive giant Volkswagen, with an investment valued at $9bn. Qatar also invests in Hapag-Lloyd, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, and holds a stake in Hochtief, the largest construction company in Germany. Additionally, Qatar invests €2.4bn in RWE AG, one of the largest producers of renewable energy globally, along with a 21 % stake in Siemens, a leading company specializing in energy and electronics, including healthcare and infrastructure. Moreover, Qatar owns a 6.1 % stake in Deutsche Bank, one of the world's leading banks known for its role in major global investments and deals. The State also holds a 49% stake in SolarWorld, a company recognized as one of the largest global firms in solar technology.
The Qatari-German co-operation also encompasses the gas sector, with QatarEnergy signing an agreement with ConocoPhillips to export LNG to Germany for 15 years starting in 2026. This agreement will supply Germany with 2mn tons of LNG annually, with the gas being sourced from the North Field East expansion projects. (QNA)
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Qatar is rich in promising investment opportunities, and Qatar Free Zones Authority plays a crucial role in enhancing the continuous growth of the country and its efforts in economic diversification. It provides global companies with a flexible platform to capitalise on growth opportunities and explore the latest technological solutions.
To attract foreign investments, Qatar has worked to create a conducive investment climate through a series of attractive laws and regulations, along with the political and social stability enjoyed by the country. Its strong and balanced relations with all parties, combined with its strategic geographic location as a major commercial gateway connecting the East and West, further enhance its appeal. Additionally, Qatar boasts a developed digital infrastructure that ensures the smooth flow of trade and capital for international investors, facilitated by Hamad Port and its airline routes connecting it to major global cities and trade pathways.
On the cultural level, Germany has been a distinguished cultural partner for Qatar since 2017, with numerous rich events between the two countries creating a genuine rapprochement between Arab and German cultures. This partnership culminated in the opening of the Arab Cultural House 'The Diwan' in Berlin, which serves as a center for deepening civilisational and cultural communication between the two nations.
Nizar Maarouf, Regional Manager of the German Federal Association of small and medium-sized businesses in Qatar.
