The Qatari Businessmen Association organizes a meeting with H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, Jose Manuel Albares Bueno
The Qatari Businessmen Association held a meeting with H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, Mr. Jose Manuel Albares Bueno and his accompanying delegation, and in the presence of H.E. Ms. Belen Alfaro Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the State of Qatar. The meeting aimed at discussing ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries, in various economic fields and exploring potential investment opportunities.
From QBA, the meeting was headed by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, QBA Chairman, in the presence of Mr. Hussein Al Fardan, QBA First Deputy. From QBA Board the meeting was attended by Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani and Mr. Saud al Mana. From QBA Members, the meeting was attended by Sheikh Faisal bin Fahd Al Thani, Mr. Khalid Al Mannai, Mr. Salah al Jaidah, Mr. Muhammad Al Rabban, Mr. Maqbool Khalfan, Mr. Abdullah Al Kubaisi, Sheikh Muhammad bin Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Mr. Ihsan Al Khiyami, Mr. Muhammad Altaf, Mr. Dhafer Halawa and Mrs. Sarah Abdullah, QBA Deputy GM.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani began the meeting with welcoming the Minister and his accompanying delegation, addressing a special thanks to the Spanish Embassy in Qatar for organizing this meeting, which aims at building bridges of cooperation between the two countries, adding that this visit will further develop bilateral relations between the two countries, and also affirmed the will of the Qatari Businessmen to cooperate with their Spanish counterparts through joint investments. He also indicated QBA’s readiness to organize a delegation to visit the Kingdom and study actual investment opportunities
On his part, H.E. Mr. Jose Manuel Albares Bueno stressed the importance of the Qatari-Spanish economic relations and pointed out the need for the two sides to cooperate in various sectors, especially tourism, infrastructure, transport and communications. His Excellency also added that the Spanish economy is in the process of recovering after the global health crisis, especially in light of the vaccination of more than 70% of the people in Spain, in addition to the support package provided by the European Union.
For his part, Mr. Hussein Al-Fardan spoke about the friendly work environment in Qatar, which was able to attract many Spanish companies, and pointed out the possibility of benefiting from the experiences of these companies and cooperating together in investment projects, whether in Qatar or Spain. Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser also pointed out the need to attract Spanish small and medium-sized companies (SME) to the Qatari market and work together to create an investment climate that benefits both parties.
Her Excellency Mrs. Belen Alfaro, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the State of Qatar, spoke about the strength and competitiveness of Spanish companies in various sectors, especially the sectors of digitalization and sustainable development, stressing that these experiences can contribute to achieving the economic diversification that the State of Qatar aspires to and works to achieve
On the Qatari side, QBA members introduced their companies. The meeting included Al-Faisal Holding Company headed by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, which works in several sectors, the most important of which are hospitality, construction, manufacturing, pharmacy and others. The meeting also included Mr. Hussein Al-Fardan, who represents Al-Fardan Group, the holding works in jewelry, automotive and real estate, Al Mana Group, represented by Mr. Saud Al Mana as CEO, and works in several sectors such as trade, construction and General services. Al-Mannai Company represented by Mr. Khaled Al-Mannai as CEO, which works in the field of automobiles, trade and information technology, Mr. Maqbool khalfan, who runs a group of exchange companies, and Al-Rabban Group, which operates in several sectors such as plastic industries, soft drinks, real estate and trade. The meeting also included the Al Wattaniya International Group and represented by Mr. Ihsan Al-Khaymi as the Managing Director, also Lulu International Group and represented by Mr. Mohamed Altaf as Group Chairman where the company has a mega chain of supermarkets in Qatar and abroad. Mr. Dhafer Halawa Chairman & CEO of Tadmur group that works in Contracting, Trading, Real estate and others.
At the end of the meeting, the Foreign Minister invited QBA members to visit Spain and study the potential investment opportunities. Sheikh Faisal and the Foreign Minister exchanged souvenirs, hoping that this visit would achieve its objectives in developing economic relations.