Qatar, Japan sign deal to import, export race horses

Qatar and Japan signed an agreement for import and export of race horses between the two countries.The agreement was signed by Hussain Jibril al-Yahrri, head of Quarantine at Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Department of Animal Resources and Norio Kumagai, director of Animal Health Division of the Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (MAFF), Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau.The agreement was signed in the presence of several dignitaries from both the countries, including Abdulla Jassim al-Zeyara, consul of the Qatar Embassy in Japan, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi, Japan’s Animal Health Division director Kazui Ito.“It is a great honour for us to be a part of this new venture. Japan-bred horses are now among the strongest and fastest in the world, with the sport ranking as one of the top four in the country. Working with Japan is one of the many undertakings that will establish Qatar as a leader in the trade of an exquisite calibre of race horses across the globe,” QREC chairman Issa bin Mohammed al-Mohannadi said. This agreement is the fruition of several months of discussions between Qatari and Japanese authorities under the diligent guidance of QREC and the Japan Racing Association.“By signing this agreement, Qatar takes another leap in nurturing our international partnerships globally. We take great pleasure in this newly facilitated opportunity that will see racehorses being imported and exported mutually between the two countries. This will make headway for both Japan and Qatar when it comes to horse racing on an international platform,” al-Kaabi said.