Officials of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) have met with a business delegation led by the Portuguese secretary of state for internationalisation to discuss ways to strengthen co-operation ties in various fields.
QBA chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani held talks yesterday with Jorge Costa Oliveira and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Portuguese ambassador António Tânger.
During the meeting, Sheikh Faisal discussed existing relations with several Portuguese companies, and highlighted the potential of Portugal as “a touristic destination that enjoys security and stability in a time of turbulence all over the world.”
He also stressed on the interest of Qatari businessmen to invest in the industrial sector as part of Qatar’s vision to diversify its income sources.
For his part, Oliveira pointed out that his visit aims to increase the value and volume of partnership and co-operation between Qatar and Portugal. He also wanted to confirm the readiness of the business sector and present concrete proposals to his Qatari counterpart.
Oliveira also expounded on ways to co-operate in several sectors such as banking, energy, tourism, and health, “especially since the state was able to go beyond the economic crisis and succeeded in the development of these sectors.”
He also invited Qatari businessmen to visit Portugal “and study the actual opportunities on the ground.”
The QBA said the Portuguese economy depends on exports, private investment, and the development of the high-tech sector. Travel and tourism are also considered vital sectors in the country’s economy.
“Portugal has succeeded in reaching the targeted rates of the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and the economy began to recover in 2015 where the total gross domestic product reached an annual growth rate of 1.5 %, mainly due to the recovery in consumer spending,” QBA added.
Sheikh Faisal concluded the meeting by presenting Oliveira with the QBA Crystal Shield.