WAM Doha – An industrial delegation from Abu Dhabi comprising seven major companies and factories has recently concluded a visit to the Qatari capital Doha under the leadership of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi (DED) in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Higher Corporation of Specialized Economic Zones. The objective of the visit was to review the investment and trade opportunities available as well the infrastructure projects implemented by the Qatari government, as part of its preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Mohamed Omar Abdullah, Undersecretary of DED, said the visit was the second one for the industrial delegation to the Qatari capital following the successful visit which DED organized for the delegation last year. The previous visit was made by a delegation comprising nine highly experienced major companies and factories of different specialties, most prominently construction and building, from Abu Dhabi.
Omar Abdullah emphasized that the delegation’s visit to Qatar reflects the profound fraternal relations between the governments and nations of the two countries in different fields, and that would contribute to consolidating trade exchange and investments between Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The Undersecretary indicated that this visit reflects the DED’s keenness to offer support to the private sector, especially the industrial and construction sectors, whereby it could derive benefits from the investment opportunities available in several fraternal and friendly countries. He added that such a trend will help towards opening up markets for this particular sector and will develop and expand its investment opportunities, and so it could contribute to raising its share of the GNP rate of Abu Dhabi Emirate and diversify its sources of income.
The Undersecretary of DED described the visit Abu Dhabi delegation made to Qatar as a complete success in light of the results it achieved following meetings with relevant Qatari government entities as well as major companies undertaking the implementation of giant projects which the Qatari government intends to fulfill before the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
For his part, Mohammed Hilal Al Mehiri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the importance of the visit which the Abu Dhabi economic delegation made to Qatar, said its results will contribute to further consolidating the trade exchange between the two countries, and joint measures will be taken towards activating trade exchange and increasing joint investments between the companies operating in Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
He pointed out that the visit will provide an opportunity to the Abu Dhabi economic delegation members to review the economic and construction boost in Qatar as well as the investment opportunities available for investors and businessmen in Abu Dhabi.
Mohammed Hilal emphasized the interest of the companies and investors from Abu Dhabi to step into Qatari markets, do investments, carry out projects and contribute to the construction and civilization boost of Qatar throughout the Emirati companies’ contribution to projects in all sectors and fields.
Al Mehiri added that due to its keenness to open up new markets for the private companies and firms from Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry is constantly and considerably backing such visits that will help open up gateways for local companies and strengthen their cooperation with Gulf companies, especially Qatari companies that are playing a key role in achieving comprehensive development in Qatar. He indicated that Abu Dhabi and Qatar have both achieved high and distinguished economic growth rates over the past few years, which are likely to continue to grow this year and in the years to come.
The volume of trade exchange between the state of Qatar and Abu Dhabi Emirate in 2010 amounted to nearly AED 4,107,379,000 from which Abu Dhabi’s imports from Qatar amounted to AED 1,786,764,000, whereas the exports to Qatar amounted to AED 650,452. The volume of re-exports to Qatar in 2010 amounted to AED 1,670,152,000.
The total cost of the construction and renovation projects which Qatar intends to carry out before the 2022 FIFA World Cup is estimated at 3 billion US dollars, according to the file which Qatar presented to the FIFA.
For his part, Dr. Adeeb Al Afifi, Director of Exports Support and Foreign Trade, DED’s International Economic Relations Sector and head of delegation, stated that the companies and factories of Abu Dhabi have met with nearly 30 companies operating in Qatar, with an average of five meetings for each delegation member with Qatari companies concerned with the implementation of the infrastructure of sports and service facilities necessary for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Al Afifi indicated that the delegation met with H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Aqeel, the Secretary General of Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting, during which he was briefed on the database of major future industrial projects to be implemented in the Gulf Cooperation Council member states. He also discussed possible general bid opportunities for Emirati companies to get a considerable share in these projects based on their remarkable experience in this particular area.
He added that the delegation also met with the officials from Hitech Co. that is undertaking the supervision of all real-estate projects, infrastructure, facilities and sports services which Qatar intends to implement before organizing 2022 FIFA World Cup. The company expressed its initial approval to avail of the expertise of the Abu Dhabi companies in this field.
The industrial delegation of Abu Dhabi comprises Dr. Dr. Adeeb Al Afifi, Director of Exports Support and Foreign Trade, DED’s International Economic Relations Sector and head of delegation, Mr. Badr Al Junaibi, Head of Foreign Trade, and officials from Al Me’mari International Industrial Co., Hi-Tech for Administrative Consultancy, Exceed Geotextile, Sirta Electromechanical Maintenance, Ali & Sons, Al Gharir Iron & Steel and Exceed Lite Crete Co.
