QBA hosted a Business lunch for H.E. Mr. Ranil Jayawardena, UK Minister of State for International Trade and Parliamentary Under-Secretary, along with H.E. Mr. John Wilks, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Doha
QBA Members attended
The Qatari Businessmen Association hosted a Business lunch for H.E. Mr. Ranil Jayawardena, UK Minister of State for International Trade and Parliamentary Under-Secretary, along with H.E. Mr. John Wilks, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Doha, in the Residence of H.E. Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Thani al Thani, QBA Second Deputy. The lunch comes on the sideline of the minister's visit to Doha to discuss ways to support and revitalize the bilateral trade between the two countries.
The business lunch was attended by HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, and Mr. Hussein Al Fardan, QBA First Deputy. From QBA Board members Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal al Thani, Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani and Mr. Saud Al Mana attended the dinner. From QBA Members, Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad, Mr. Nasser Al Haider, Mr. Khalid al Mannai, Mr. Salah al Jaidah, Mr. Ibrahim al Jaidah, Mr. Nabila Abu Issa, Mr. Maqbool Khalfan, as well as Mr. Abdulbasit Al Shaibie, CEO of Qatar International Islamic Bank and Mrs. Sarah Abdallah, QBA Deputy General Manager.
For his part, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani welcomed the minister and highlighted the importance of the British market to the Qatari investors and the need to restore the market dynamics and business interaction, adding that the exchange of trade delegations and official visits would bring the distance between the Qatari businessmen and their different counterparts, pointing out to the depth of the historical relations between Qatar and Britain.
For his part, Mr. Ranil Jayawardena, UK Minister of State for International Trade, thanked QBA for this meeting, noting that this visit aims to follow up on ways of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, adding that the United Kingdom is preparing to start trade negotiations with the GCC countries in 2022, in order to create a modern and comprehensive agreement that removes trade barriers concerning food and beverage markets, digital trade and renewable energy, as London seeks to establish deeper economic relations after leaving the European Union (Brexit), as this agreement represents a step towards strengthening trade and economic relations. The minister also added that he is looking forward to finalizing negotiations for strengthening Economic integration, opening markets to Gulf and British companies, and enhancing economic cooperation by expanding trade and investment between the two sides.
Mr. Ranil also praised the economic prosperity the State of Qatar is witnessing and his admiration for the preparations of the 2022 World Cup. He invited again the Qatari Businessmen Association to visit the Kingdom soon to discuss investment projects closely, stressing out the economic reforms pursued by the British government in order to encourage foreign investment and improve the business climate.
Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, also welcomed the minister and stressed out during the discussions, the interest of Qatari businessmen in the British market, where there are already many Qatari investments, whether by the public or private sectors, adding that the British market is a favored investment destination for the Qatari businessman, adding that it is a market full of opportunities, affirming that the Qatari private sector is always looking forward to exploring and search for new opportunities.
During Lunch, the attendees also discussed the wise steps taken by the state under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, to gradually lift restrictions and return life to normal with constant concern for the health of all citizens and residents.
H.E. Ambassador John Wilks added that the United Kingdom always seeks to strengthen economic relations with its strategic partners, particularly Qatar, in order to open new cooperation prospects in various sectors, especially after the current global crisis, which affected all economies, stressing that the Qatari British economic relations are very powerful; as the Gulf region is a source of energy and a center for business, major projects, and investments, praising the strength of the Qatari economy, which has proven through various crises its ability to withstand challenges and face them.
At the end of the meeting, Sheikh Dr. Khaled exchanged gifts with H.E. the Minister, hoping that this visit will achieve its goals in developing economic relations.