Qatar Chamber (QC) First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari, Ukraine’s Minister of Finance H E Serhii Marchenko, Deputy Minister for Development of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture H E Taras Kachka, and other officials during the ‘Qatar-Uk
Doha: Total trade volume between Qatar and Ukraine has increased to over $97m in 2020 compared to $87m in 2019, Qatar Chamber’s (QC) First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari has said at the ‘Qatar-Ukraine Business Meeting’ yesterday.
The webinar which was held in cooperation with the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was also attended by Ukraine’s Minister of Finance H E Serhii Marchenko and Deputy Minister for Development of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture H E Taras Kachka.
Qatar’s Ambassador to Ukraine H E Hadi bin Nasser Mansour Al Hajri and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Qatar H E Andriy Kuzmenko, were also present during the event.
The webinar, which saw the participation of officials and entrepreneurs from both sides, reviewed the aspects of cooperation between the Qatari private sector and its Ukrainian counterpart as well as explored the investment opportunities available in both countries.
Al Kuwari presided over the QC’s delegation which included QC Board Member Abdul Rahman bin Abdulla Al Ansari and a number of Qatari businessmen.
President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gennadiy Chyzhykov and Vice-President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry ValeriyKorol also attended the event.
Addressing the meeting, Marchenko reiterated that there is a common desire between both sides to enhance their relations at all levels, especially in commercial and economic aspects. He underscored the keenness of both countries’ businessmen in increasing their partnerships and identifying the available opportunities in the most important sectors in both countries.
Marchenko also indicated that the past year has seen a considerable surge in the two countries’ bilateral trade, affirming that this year would witness more cooperation, activities and meetings with the aim to enhance cooperation in some sectors such as energy, agriculture and financial services.
Al Kuwari went on to highlight the strong relations between Qatar and Ukraine. He said both countries have greatly managed to develop their relations within the past few years through intensifying cooperation on various areas and exchanging visits between leaders and officials, noting that the two countries have exchanged and signed a number of bilateral agreements in diverse fields towards deepening and enhancing the mutual cooperation.
He added that despite these distinct relations, the two countries’ bilateral trade is still below the aspirations. Al Kuwari, speaking about mutual investments, highlighted an important project between both countries - the concession project obtained by the Qatari company QTerminals in the Ukrainian Olivia Port. He said this project will help boost economic cooperation between Qatari companies and Ukrainian and international companies in general, and will support the maritime line operations between Hamad Port and Ukrainian ports.
Al Kuwari pointed out that trade delegation meetings between both sides contributed to the establishment of the Qatari-Ukrainian Business Council. He added that the QC highly supports the cooperation between Qatari and Ukrainian companies and hopes to see more commercial partnerships and economic alliances between the Qatari private sector and its Ukrainian counterpart.
Al Kuwari invited the Ukrainian companies to invest in Qatar, where there are a wide range of investment opportunities in all sectors and called on Qatari companies to explore the investment opportunities in Ukraine in all sectors, especially in food security and agriculture areas.
As for Qatar’s investment climate, he indicated that the State of Qatar, under the wise leadership of the Amir H E Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has accomplished great achievements and made impressive strides in many areas. It has developed a very sophisticated infrastructure and issued a slew of economic legislations that placed Qatar among the world’s top destinations for investments and business.
Chyzhykov praised the distinguished relations between Qatar and Ukraine, stressing the interest of both countries to further develop their cooperation in many fields, especially in food security and energy. He called on Qatari investors to invest in his country and benefit from the incentives and opportunities offered for foreign investors.
Also speaking during the event, Al Hajri stressed that there are plenty of opportunities for cooperation between both countries, noting that QTerminals in the Ukrainian Olivia Port would open new prospects for more Qatari investments in Ukraine.
