Davos: Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday met the Minister of Economy and Commerce
H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
They discussed relations and means of developing them, particularly in the economic, commerce, and investment fields.
Discussions and deliberations during the forum were also highlighted.
Davutoglu praised Qatari-Turkish relations, highlighting the significant increase in investment and trade exchange.
The Minister voiced Qatar’s keenness to cement economic partnerships between both countries.
The Minister also held a separate meeting with Swiss Minister of Economy Johann Schneider-Ammann,
Talks dealt with means of bolstering economic and investment relations.
Trade between Qatar and Switzerland reach QR3.4bn in 2013, 5.1 percent of which Qatari investments in Switzerland, while Swiss investments in Qatar are represented in 15 companies wholly owned by Swiss businessmen in addition to 45 firms jointly owned by both countries.
Both ministers also discussed steps to activate the free trade zone agreement between GCC states and members of European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Sheikh Ahmed attended an interactive session on trade,which dealt with a focus on World Trade Organisation and the need to support its programmes in light of developments after the last ministerial conference in Bali and the future of Doha negotiations.
Qatar’s participation in Davos comes at a time when its economy is flourishing, thanks to its policy of income diversification as well as the non-oil sector’s stimulation to economic growth.
The forum’s invitation to Qatar aimed to allow Doha to present its vision on pushing investment, economic growth and regional and international trade, thanks to its regional and international weight and its record levels of income for citizens that put them in the first place globally, the low rates of unemployment and the transparency index in which it ranks first in the Arab region.
The forum is an important platform to tackle global issues and a significant reference in economic reports in which Qatar has gained a prominent status, ranking 16th among 144 states in the Global Competitiveness Report 2014 and second in the Arab region.
The report praised the balanced performance of Qatar, the wisdom of its leadership in managing macro-economic policies, the efficiency of goods and services market, and the innovation-supporting environment in which individuals, companies and government institutions interact to boost production and increase national income, enhancing the economy and Qatar’s competitiveness.
QNA
