Ailyn Agonia
DOHA
Italian Ambassador to Qatar HE Pasquale Salzano has described economic ties between Qatar and Italy as very positive.
The total volume of bilateral trade between the two countries in 2018 was 2.6 billion Euros, marking a 21 percent increase compared with the previous year.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Italian Embassy to celebrate the 73rd Italian National Day on Thursday, he stressed the high confidence in bilateral cooperation and continuous high-level political dialogue between the governments of the two countries.
The envoy stressed the strategic partnership between the two countries across all sectors, such as institutional cooperation, business, defence, education and culture, sport and well-being.
“Italian companies are well positioned in the Qatari market and involved in major projects, such as the Doha Metro and Al Bayt Stadium, related to FIFA World Cup 2022. Italian entrepreneurs are more eager to explore opportunities in Qatar thanks to the major reforms adopted to make the local business environment more friendly and dynamic for foreign investors. Qatar has taken remarkable steps in this regard, especially in reforming the labour market as part of its fruitful cooperation with the International Labour Organization,” the envoy said.
“The Italian Government acknowledges these significant achievements and encourages Qatar to continue working in this direction. Together with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar, we are now preparing the fifth Joint Economic Commission between Italy and Qatar to be held later this year in order to take forward our economic cooperation towards more ambitious goals,” he said.
On the bilateral programmes in the defence sector, the ambassador said hundreds of personnel from the Qatari airforce and navy are being trained in Italy. In the coming weeks the first four Qatari female pilots will graduate in Milan, he said.
The ambassador also emphasised on the great opportunities between Qatar and Italy in the future in the fields of art, culture, education, research, health and sport.
“We plan to continue on this path and to increase and diversify our projects working closely with Qatari institutions and involving new actors, such the Italian cultural association ‘Dante Alighieri’, which recently started its activities in Doha. Italy has a broader vision of culture, which includes sport, healthy lifestyle and well-being of individuals. In this regard, we are pleased that Qatar is highly investing in social and community development, encouraging sports and hosting major sport events, such as the upcoming World Athletics Championships in September. I am excited to announce that, during the championships, the Italian Federation of Athletics will open ‘Casa Atletica’, a special area dedicated to Italian sport traditions, design, food and culture with an engaging programme of activities,” the envoy added.
The reception was attended by dignitaries including heads of various diplomatic missions.
Source:qatar-tribune.com
