​During his speech at the Qatari-Pakistani Business Conference organized within the framework of the Qatari delegation’s visit to PakistanH.E. Minister of Economy and Commerce: We seek to strengthen Qatari-Pakistani bilateral cooperation across all fields
 ·        The bilateral trade volume increased 104% to around 1.6 billion US Dollars in 2017, from 782 million US Dollars in 2016.·        851 companies, jointly owned by Qatari and Pakistani citizens, are currently operating in Qatar·        This gathering of Qatari and Pakistani businessmen will pave the way for agreements aimed at bolstering bilateral trade with discussions focusing on the quality and price of commodities to streamline the flow of exports from Pakistan to Qatar.·        Qatar will seek to mobilize agreements with key trading partners worldwide including Pakistan, to target a market of 400 million people.·        The Qatari-Pakistani business conference witnessed bilateral meetings and business deals between businessmen from both sides
 
H.E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, chaired the Qatari delegation at the Qatari-Pakistani Business Conference that took place on Thursday July 5, 2018 in Islamabad within the framework of a Qatari delegation’s visit to Pakistan on July 4-5, 2018 to discuss bilateral cooperation prospects.
H.E Mian Misbah Al-Rehman, Pakistan’s Minister of Trade and Textile, led the participating Pakistani delegation including a number of senior government officials.
The event brought together businessmen and chief executives of major Qatari and Pakistani companies in the fields of food and consumer products, building materials, Trade along with other sectors.
In his opening speech, H.E Minister of Economy and Commerce, highlighted that the friendly relations between Qatar and Pakistan have been growing over the past decade, noting that these relations have picked up considerable momentum since 2012. H.E added that the bilateral trade volume increased 104% to around 1.6 billion US Dollars in 2017, compared to 782 million US Dollars in 2016 ranking Pakistan as Qatar’s 13th largest trade partner.
H.E hoped that cooperation in bilateral trade would be strengthened, noting that food products and consumers goods account for almost 50% of Qatari imports from Pakistan and 1.1% of Qatar’s food imports worldwide.
H.E also highlighted joint investments, noting 851 companies, jointly owned by Qatari and Pakistani citizens, are currently operating in Qatar in the fields of energy, contracting, plastic industries and the leasing of heavy equipment.
6 other companies fully owned by Pakistani citizens are also operating in the banking, hotel services, contracting and engineering fields, H.E added.
H.E stressed that Qatar and Pakistan are looking to capitalize on these growing relations to the benefit of both countries.
H.E added that this gathering of Qatari and Pakistani businessmen will pave the way for agreements aimed at bolstering bilateral trade with discussions focusing on the quality and price of commodities to streamline the flow of exports from Pakistan to Qatar.
Touching on Qatar’s economic characteristics, H.E noted that this conference comes at a time of global economic uncertainties and regional challenges coupled with an illegal blockade that was imposed on Qatar since June 5th 2017.
The blockade, which was aimed at undermining Qatar’s position as an economically independent and sovereign state, has, however, failed, H.E said, noting that Qatar has emerged stronger and more economically independent than ever before.
The illegal blockade has also presented an opportunity for Qatar to make its economy more accessible to the world, H.E emphasized, noting that the country has strengthened its trade relations worldwide.
H.E Minister of Economy and Commerce added that Qatar has established new shipping routes with its trade partners worldwide including Pakistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Turkey, India, Azerbaijan and Central Asia.
Through its agreements with these countries, Qatar aims to target a population of 400 million people, H.E said, noting that Qatar is utilizing its hi-tech logistics capability and world-class facilities such as Hamad Port and Hamad International Airport to bolster trade.
The new Hamad Port accounts for 27% of the regional trade volume in the Middle East with an annual capacity of 7.5 million cargo containers, H.E explained, noting on the other hand that Hamad International Airport is one of the biggest airports in the region.
The airport links Qatar to more than 150 destinations through Qatar Airways, which was recently voted as the best airline in the world, H.E added.
H.E Minister of Economy and Commerce concluded by emphasizing that the Qatari delegation’s visit to Pakistan is aimed at promoting business and concluding bilateral trade deals, noting that delegation members and senior officials from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce are pleased to answer all questions and inquiries from potential Pakistani investors.
H.E also reiterated that Qatar’s economy is open, voicing hope that this conference presents an opportunity to establish successful investment projects that serve the common interests of both countries.
During the conference, the Qatari delegation outlined investment opportunities available to Pakistan. The visual presentations were offered by representatives of the Ministry of Communications and Transport (MWANI Qatar), Qatar Airways, Milaha, Hassad Food and Widam Food Company.
The conference featured bilateral meetings between Qatari and Pakistani businessmen during which they reviewed the investment opportunities in both Qatar and Pakistan and discussed measures to build long-term economic cooperation mechanisms.
The conference featured the signing of trade deals between a number of Qatari and Pakistani businessmen, including Haider Holding which inked a commercial agreement with Pakistani Company, Shield.