German firms eye promoting environmentally sound, sustainable strategies in Qatar, says envoy

German companies are keen to cooperate with Qatar, especially beyond the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in sectors like e-mobility, solar energy, and hydrogen, as well as other environmentally-sound and sustainable strategies, German ambassador Dr Claudius Fischbach said yesterday on the occasion of Dorsch’s 10th anniversary in Qatar and 70th worldwide.
“The presence of Dorsch in Qatar for the past 10 years is an example of the engagement of German companies here, especially in the environmental field, such as their project in Lusail, which is practically a city of the future,” Fischbach told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the anniversary celebrations held in West Bay.
“This is an ideal example of how German companies can contribute to the reduction of CO2 and the carbon footprint of this country. Other German countries, such as Siemens, have done the same thing. This company is contributing to the first solar energy plant in this country think,” he stressed
Fischbach said, “Hydrogen is a very important energy for the future. We think gas is a bridging technology and it plays its role; right now we see in Europe how much we need gas and where do we get the gas from. It's important; nobody doubts that gas is more environmentally-friendly than all the other fossil energies. That is true and it's especially true for Qatari LNG. But still, we need to achieve net-zero in the end, which we can only achieve with other technologies like wind, biomass, and hydrogen.”
According to Fischbach, many other German companies helped in the construction of mega-projects in Qatar, such as the tram in Msheireb and in Lusail, as well as in many fields.
“We are very willing to do more in the field of sustainable development. What we wish for is that Qatar might, for instance, be even more active in the field of future technologies, such as hydrogen, and there are so many German companies that would love to cooperate as they do in other Gulf countries in order to promote this energy of the future,” he emphasised.
On Qatar’s pledge to invest €10bn in Germany, which was announced by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in 2018, Fisbach said he is expecting to see “more investments in the near future by Qatari companies.”
Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said more German companies are investing in Qatar, especially in the Free Zones, as well as other locations across the country.
“Our role as Qatar Chamber is to market Qatar to the international community. This year, as the world economies are recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are expecting more international delegations to arrive in Doha. We are also looking at sending Qatari business delegations to meet with our international partners,” he said.
Dorsch Qatar general manager Hossam Korra said the company has gained milestones through its flagship project in Lusail City since its establishment here in 2012. The 3,500-hectare project will be home to around 450,000 people and includes commercial and residential areas with open spaces and parks.
“We thank the leaders and the citizens of Qatar in giving us the chance to achieve the highest standards of prosperity for all residents as a part of Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to lead the country into a post-oil future,” Korraa stressed.