Q Life Magazine Q Magazine: A new chapter for growth | Page 18
Wintershall. Conversely, Qatari institutions have made
considerable investments in German companies. Clearly,
this is a relationship than can help to grow the economies
of both countries.
Last year was the Qatar-German Year of Culture.
What did this mean to Qatar?
Qatar-Germany bilateral
relations: 45 years of partnership
Qatar’s Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Bin
Abdulrahman Al Thani, shares his hopes for the Forum.
C
an you describe your priorities as Qatar’s
Ambassador to Germany? What has your
focus been since you started this role?
It is a great honour for me to represent the State of
Qatar to the Federal Republic of Germany, a country of
profound civilisation that has the ability and knowledge
to influence global economic, political, cultural and
humanitarian issues. As Ambassador, I am committed to
strengthening the relationship between our two countries,
and I am continually exploring new ways to do this.
While a lot has already been achieved, there is still plenty
of untapped potential.
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Why do you believe it is important for Qatar-
Germany trade relations to grow?
Relations between Qatar and Germany have a
successful 45-year history. In this time Qatar became
a key partner for Germany in the Middle East.
Today, both countries are bearing the fruit of this
relationship. Growing numbers of German citizens are
living and working in Qatar, and German companies
are increasingly opening branches in Qatar. There
are over 300 German companies now operating
in Doha including Allianz, Audi, Deutsche Bank,
BMW, Siemens, Thyssen Krupp, Solar World and
Culture is a vehicle through which different nationalities
and faiths can meet, learn about each other and deepen
their understanding of their respective traditions and
values. For these reasons, the Qatar-German Year of
Culture was a precious opportunity for us. We were
excited to show our German friends the rich art scene
in Qatar and to engage in a cultural dialogue. I was
immensely proud to visit the ‘Contemporary Art Qatar’
exhibition at Kraftwerk Berlin, which highlighted Qatari
artists. It was also great to see German artists exhibited at
QM Gallery Al Riwaq and Doha Fire Station in Qatar.
How do you think Qatar-Germany bilateral
relations have grown in the past three years?
Qatar is working to diversify its economy away from oil.
Its ambition is to develop a knowledge-based, sustainable
economy and to grow Qatar’s tourism industry. In this
ambition we have found common ground with Germany,
with whom we share a mutual interest in growing the
chemical, construction and automotive industries, and
developing new technology in the energy, environmental,
and medical sectors. We have collaborated with
Germany in the meetings, incentives, conferences and
exhibitions (MICE) sector, building on fruitful exchanges
at this year’s IMEX conference in Frankfurt.
How do you believe the Qatar – Germany
Business and Investment Forum will expand
the trade relations and investment with
Germany?
Trade with German companies is steadily rising
and SMEs, as the backbone of the German economy,
are particularly encouraged to take a closer look at
investment opportunities in Qatar. German know-
how is in strong demand and many current projects
are already drawing on it. By the end of the year,
in many areas of the increasingly diversified Qatari
economy there will be additional opportunities for
companies offering German technology and services.
This Forum will offer an opportunity to explore
future opportunities for both Qatar and Germany
to offer their skills in areas of expertise according to
comparative advantage.
What do you hope to achieve while you are at
the Forum? What are you most excited about?
I have high expectations for the Forum. My aim is to
present Qatar’s full potential and facilitate dialogue
between Qataris and Germans. I am also interested
in finding out from German SMEs how we can best
help them secure investment from Qatar, and how
to expand into our market. As Qatar continues its
journey of economic diversification, we are keen to
support innovators from around the world to advance
our food, medical, energy and high-tech sectors.
There is so much potential for these companies in
Qatar right now.
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