Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada with François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade of Canada. They discussed issues relating to enhancing bilateral investments.
Qatar and Canada discussed issues relating to further enhancing bilateral investment. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade of Canada, met with Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and Minister of Economy and Commerce, H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani.
During his first official visit to Qatar, the Canadian Minister also met Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive of Qatar Airways. The Minister and his counterparts touched on priority issues such as potential opportunities for increased collaboration between Canadian companies and Qatar private and public sectors in key areas including energy, transportation, infrastructure, education and health. “The Minister’s visit confirms that Canada enjoys a strong and growing bilateral relationship with Qatar that is reinforced by commercial ties between the two countries” said Adrian Norfolk, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar.
The visit builds on the 2016 visits to Canada by Qatar’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Public Health and Education and Higher Education and a Qatar Trade and Investment Mission to Canada. It also highlights Canada as a destination of choice for Qatari investors, students, business travellers and visitors.
The Minister also met with a number of Canadian business leaders as Qatar expands in its infrastructure, energy and education sectors among others, and prepares for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. There are almost 9,000 Canadians living and working in Qatar in diverse areas such as engineering, energy, finance, IT, education and health. Canadian companies are contributing to Qatar's infrastructure programmes for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and as it works towards achieving Vision 2030.
Qatar is an important market and commercial partner for Canadian businesses. There is recognised potential for Canadian businesses to increase commerce with Qatar in the future, as the country implements an ambitious, inclusive, and sustainable economic plan with a strong focus on international trade and investment.
