Germany seeks more investments from Qatar; German pavilion at Project/Hospitality Qatar to see more activities
Gulf Times
Dr Julia Harrer, deputy head of mission, German Embassy.
Germany is looking for more investments from Qatar with which it has "trustful and multifaceted" relations, according to Dr Julia Harrer, deputy head of mission, German Embassy. "Germany is looking forward to further Qatari investments. We see a lot of potential for the future co-operation," she told a function that outlined the schedule of the upcoming Project/Hospitality Qatar. She said Qatari investments in Germany have been estimated to be about 25bn euros, which included important sectors such as the automobile sector, energy and micro-technologies. Qatar owns stakes in the most important German commercial and banking groups, as it is the largest shareholder in the Volkswagen Group, with a stake of $9bn, as well as in Siemens and other German companies working in the field of technology, shipping and the pharmaceutical industry. Highlighting that the bilateral trade stood at about 1.3bn euros in 2021, she said there is scope for more in the future. She said the energy partnership between Germany and Qatar, signed in Berlin, will deepen, arranging for considerable flows of natural gas (LNG) to Germany in the future and providing German inputs in the development of renewable energies and in optimising energy efficiency here in Qatar. On Germany's participation in the Project/Hospitality Qatar; she said the country has been and continues to be a major partner in Project Qatar for the 16th year in a row since its inception, with an official national pavilion. The German pavilion at the exhibition is supported by The Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, which identifies the importance that Germany places on the Qatari construction sector and the opportunities that this sector offers German businesses even after the end of the FIFA World Cup 2022. "Additionally, the German participation will be even more significant this year against the backdrop of the recent visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Germany, and the discussions that contributed to supporting and strengthening bilateral relations, further improving the investment partnership, and increasing the volume of trade and economic exchange between Doha and Berlin,” Harrer said. She said German companies are actively involved in major construction projects in Qatar, which is now finalising the preparation for the FIFA World Cup as it seeks to improve its infrastructure. This will open up “new opportunities and projects in the years to come, Harrer said. There are around 331 German firms working in the fields of railway development, trade, contracting services, communications, roads and infrastructure, medical equipment and other vital fields in the Qatari market.
