British Ambassador to Qatar Ajay Sharma addressing the media at the British embassy yesterday.
The high-profile Qatar-UK Business & Investment Forum, scheduled to be held in London and Birmingham next week, will provide a significant platform to further the important trade and investment relationship between both the countries. The event is set against a backdrop of high level commitment from the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to strengthen the strategic relationship between the UK and Qatar. The London day of the conference will be led by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
Ajay Sharma, the British Ambassador to Qatar, told reporters yesterday the UK and Qatar share a strong and growing trade and investment relationship.
In 2015 total UK exports to Qatar totalled £2.6bn, with Qatar exports to UK at £2.721m. Qatar has invested approximately £35bn in the UK, and there are over 600 UK companies operating in Qatar.
Apart from Qatar prime minister several ministers and corporate heads will represent Qatar at the three-day event. Ane qual numbeer of Ministers and trade heads from UK will also join the event
The British envoy said the kind of projects putting on the table during the three-daye vent would be billions of dollars. But the conference is not about securing those financing for those deals or support for those deals itself. But it’s about showcasing the projects elicit the Qatari investors interests in these projects.” The success of the conference is whether or not 50 projects presented and 10 of them closed. It is not a deal closing ceremony. The conference offers an opportunity to showcase what both the countries can offer for the mutual benefit.”, Ajay said.
Beyond real estate, the UK will encourage Qatari investors to seek opportunites in urban regeneration, energy and sicence & innovation projects, the emerging sectors that would ensure attractive returns to the investors.
" These are all great opportunites for Qatar, in the same way of real estate. We want Qatar to be aware of these opportunites in UK's safe financial environment with excellent returns."
Elaborating ont he context of the Forum Ajay said the trade investment conference comea at a very criticval time. "The UK is to trigger article 50 which is the formal proess to leave EU on the 29th of March, therefore the conference on 27 and 28th will be a great opportunity for the UK and Qatar to showcase what each other can offer int his context the uk leaving the EU".
Both the UK and Qatar stand on the verge of exciting futures. The UK is paving the way to become a beacon of open trade around the world and Qatar is implementing its ambitious 2030 National Vision, which serves as a roadmap for the country’s future. The close bilateral relationship we share is an excellent basis from which to strengthen our ties and work towards achieving our shared goals for the future, he said.
The London conference will showcase Qatar to a UK audience, focussing on the opportunities that Qatar offers, the strength of the business relationship and other links. The Birmingham conference will showcase the UK’s expertise to support the Qatari 2030 National Vision and promote our world leading sectors whilst promoting the investment opportunities around the UK, in particular, outside of London.
The key objectives of the Forum include to support Qatar in delivering a successful FIFA 2022 World Cup and to be its partner of choice in realising its 2030 National Vision; to provide an exclusive opportunity for business leaders and senior UK and Qatari Ministers to network and promote current investment and trade opportunities in the UK and in Qatar.
