President of the Republic of Slovenia H E Dr. Natasa Pirc Musar delivering the opening speech at the Slovenian Business Meeting, yesterday. Pic by: Salim Matramkot/ The Peninsula
DOHA: Qatar has proven itself as a trusted and reliable partner of Slovenia. The relationship between the two countries is founded on mutual respect and expanding cooperation, said H E Dr. Natasa Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia.
The Qatar-Slovenia Business Meeting was organised, yesterday by the Qatar Chamber during which ways to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two countries was discussed.
The meeting was attended by H E Natalia Al Mansour, Non-Resident Ambassador of Slovenia to Qatar, and H E Jassim Yaqoub Al Hammadi, Non-Resident Ambassador of Qatar to Slovenia. It also saw the participation of the accompanying delegation from Slovenia which included 25 leading companies, along with several QC board members and a number of Qatari businessmen and representatives of Qatari companies at the Chamber’s headquarters.
President of Slovenia H E Dr. Natasa Pirc Musar, First Vice-Chairman of QC Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari with other officials during the meeting. Pic by Salim Matramkot/ The Peninsula
The event also witnessed exchange of a memorandum of understanding signed between Qatar Chamber and Slovenia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Delivering the welcoming remarks during the Qatar–Slovenia Business Meeting, H E Dr. Natasa Pirc Musar, President of Slovenia highlighted the strong, diversified economy and welcomed Qatari investors to explore opportunities.
The President of Slovenia said, “There is a significant potential for deepening cooperation between our two countries. We both recognise the significant untapped potential for further economic collaboration.”
The Slovenian President invited Qatari business owners to visit Slovenia and learn more about its economic advantages, investment climate, and available opportunities, particularly in light of the country’s developments in science, technology, pharmaceutical industries, infrastructure, green technology, and other sectors.
Qatar has recently made a significant contribution to Slovenia’s development through its financial support for key projects. It has, for example, played a major role in the construction of the Islamic Cultural Center in Ljubljana, she said.
“Moreover, I am pleased to announce that tomorrow the Qatar Fund for Development and the ITF Enhancing Human Security (Slovenian International Organization) will sign a grant agreement for the project purchase of raw materials for the Palestine Hospital in Bethlehem.
“So these achievements further underline the importance of strengthening our economic ties, which I regret to say are still underdeveloped,” the President added.
“We must aim to strengthen business ties, increase trade, and expand investments in areas where our country’s strengths complement one another. Our knowledge-based economies, innovative companies, and export-oriented industries mean that Slovenia and Qatar are a perfect match,” she noted.
Slovenia is keen to establish a direct air connection with Qatar operated by Qatar Airways. Such a route would significantly boost tourism, facilitate business travel, and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries, the President said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al Kuwari, First Vice-Chairman of QC lauded the visit of President of Slovenia and her accompanying delegation and welcomed her keenness on boosting cooperation between the Qatari and Slovenian business communities and exploring investment opportunities available in both countries.
Al Kuwari noted that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries remains below expectations, reaching about QR138m last year, despite the strong ties and mutual willingness to advance relations further.
He emphasised the great potential and promising opportunities for enhancing cooperation between the business communities in both countries, particularly in the sectors of renewable energy, tourism, technology, food security, pharmaceutical industries, and logistics services.
He noted that the MoU signed during the meeting would add further momentum to cooperation between business communities and investors from both sides by organising more business forums, bilateral meetings, and trade delegations. These efforts would help exchange expertise and explore new investment opportunities.
Al Kuwari called on Qatari businessmen to explore the promising investment opportunities in Slovenia across various sectors.
During the event, Marjana Majeric, Executive Director of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that the meeting constitutes an important platform for exploring partnerships, cooperation, investment opportunities and exchanging experiences between the business community in both countries.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding between both chambers represents a qualitative leap to enhance cooperation at the private sector level, she said.
She invited Qatari investors to visit her country to learn about the opportunities available there and discuss with Slovenian companies and reviewed several initiatives in her country that are related to sustainability and innovation.
