50% increase in bilateral trade between Qatar and Italy in '21

The bilateral trade between Qatar and Italy has increased over 50% in the first 10 months of 2021, said Luigi Di Maio, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation who was on a short visit to Qatar. Di Maio also noted that the crisis unfolding in Ukraine and energy security were among the main topics of conversation with Qatari authorities. “Our bilateral trade has recovered after the pandemic crisis and increased by more than 50% in the first 10 months of 2021. It’s a positive trend bound to consolidate in the future. Qatar is an attractive market for Italian companies and start-ups, particularly in fields such as infrastructure and energy, digital and green economy and innovation,” Di Maio told 'Gulf Times'.“Equally promising are Qatari investments to Italy: attracting added-value foreign investments is a priority for our government. Through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, part of the €750bn package that the European Union allocated in response to the pandemic crisis, Italy is implementing ambitious structural reforms and economic policy measures that will benefit both national and foreign investors,” he said.Regarding the emerging scenario of Ukraine crisis Di Maio said that Italy is taking all necessary measures to shore up its energy security, hence mitigate the effects of a possible energy and gas supply crisis. “Qatar is a close and very reliable partner for us. We aim at increasing the current volume of gas to secure our supplies beyond the quantities already agreed upon. Italy is working towards energy transition, investing on renewable sources, but this is a long-term goal, while for the next few years natural gas remains our main source of energy,” he said. The minister underscored that Qatar is a longstanding friend of Italy. “I already had several productive meetings with my friend, Sheikh Mohamed, Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and I was very pleased to exchange views with him once again. On Saturday, right before my arrival in Doha, the Italian Prime Minister had a fruitful conversation with His Highness the Amir,” Di Maio said.“I believe that my visit to Qatar, during which I also met the Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy, helped further enhance our bilateral partnership. Clearly, the crisis unfolding in Ukraine and energy security were among the main topics of conversation with Qatari Authorities,” he said. According to the minister, Italy is contributing to the organisation of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in both the infrastructure and the security fields. The minister also condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine and said: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s brutal aggression and we reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and freedom. Russia should cease its operations, withdraw all its forces and seriously and meaningfully engage in peace talks with Ukraine. The humanitarian impact of the conflict is of increasing concern, as over 1.5mn refugees have already reportedly crossed into the EU, mostly in the neighbouring countries.” “Besides providing financial support to Ukraine’s budget, Italy, as current Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, has called for Russia’s suspension from the Organisation. We also co-sponsored and co-drafted the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly to denounce Russia’s aggression against Ukraine: the overwhelming majority of 141 countries, including Qatar, voting in favour of the Resolution, proves how united the international community stands in front of Russia’s reckless invasion,” he said.