Qatar and China’s trade volume saw a 30% growth to reach $13.5bn last year compared to $10.4bn recorded in 2017, data from private sector leader Qatar Chamber revealed on Tuesday.
According to Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, Qatar is importing a wide range of goods and commodities from China, which he described as “an important trade partner.”
Sheikh Khalifa made the statement on Tuesday during a meeting at the chamber’s Doha headquarters with a trading delegation from China headed by the secretary of Chengdu Municipality, Fan Ruiping.
The meeting examined economic and trade relations of the two countries, as well as the business opportunities available in Qatar and Chengdu City, especially in the field of sports, construction, tourism, education, and technology.
Aside from the two ranking officials, the meeting was attended by Qatar Chamber director general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi and Taleb Group chairman Mohamed Taleb al-Khauri.
Sheikh Khalifa said the Qatar market offers many co-operation opportunities, which both countries’ private sectors can benefit from. He noted there is a “considerable number” of Chinese companies operating in Qatar and are contributing to the transfer of Chinese high technology to the country’s economy.
“Qatar’s economy is open and welcomes all foreign investments. The chamber highly-supports enhancing co-operation relations between Qatari companies and their Chinese counterparts,” he stressed.
For his part, Ruiping lauded Qatar Chamber for hosting the delegation and for giving Chinese company representatives the opportunity to brief the Qatar business community on Chengdu City and its contribution in the Chinese economy.
He said that the objective of the visit is to explore Qatari market and its available opportunities as well as informing Qatari businessmen on the investments of Chengdu City.
“Qatar is witnessing an enormous economic renaissance and is providing a lot of investment opportunities that attract Chinese companies,” said Ruiping, who also delivered a presentation on Chengdu City, which is an economic gateway west of China.
He said Chengdu’s GDP in 2018 stood at $210bn, registering an 8.1% growth, while exports grew by 20%. Also, he said Chengdu is one of the biggest cities in China, noting that it is famous for many key industries, technology, and innovation.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Sheikh Khalifa and Ruiping witnessed the signing of an agreement between Taleb Group and Chengdu Hi-tech Zone to boost co-operation between both organisations.
Al-Khauri also presented an overview about the group and its activities in the fields of real estate, education, hotels, and industry. The group, al-Khauri said, is considering expanding in new sectors.
