Italy, which is one of the largest trading partners of Qatar in Europe, has embarked on very “intensive” programme to promote businesses between the countries and specifically help in Doha’s diversification, as part of efforts to strengthen the bilateral economic relations between the two countries.
Terming Qatar as a very active investor in Italy in the last few years; Italian Trade Agency president Riccardo Maria Monti said “we are working on a very intensive and diverse programme for promoting Italian exports to Qatar and also Qatari export to Italy.”
Earlier addressing the fourth session of Qatar-Italy joint committee for economic co-operation; HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed al-Thani said the total trade exchange between the two countries reached about $3bn in 2015, accounting for 2.8% of Qatar’s foreign trade.
“We expect the total trade between Qatar and Italy to rise in 2016 compared to last year,” Andrea Ferrari, Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Italy, Qatar, said. Italian companies can play an important role in Qatar’s process of diversification, Monti said, adding infrastructure industry of Italy is very strong having strong presence globally.
Highlighting that the trade is going very well (between Qatar and Italy) and that Italy is among one of the biggest clients of Qatargas; he said “we are trying to diversify our presence here.”
Monti said Italian Trade Agency is keen to develop, facilitate and promote Italian economic and trade relations with Qatar as part of pursuit of supporting the globalisation of Italian firms and implementing the strategies of (Italy’s) Ministry of Economic Development.
“The Italian Trade Agency sustains Italian firms in their internationalisation processes, in the marketing of Italian goods and services while promoting the “Made in Italy’ image around the world and it is directly involved in attracting foreign direct investments,” he said.
The agency provides information, support and consultancy to Italian companies on foreign markets, promoting and fostering exports and cooperation in all areas – industry (consumer and capital goods), agricultural technology and agri-food, services, and training - with the aim of increasing and making more effective their presence on international markets.