The Qatari businessmen Association’s First Deputy Chairman Mr. Hussain Ibrahim Al Ferdan hosted a business luncheon for the Italian trade mission headed by eng. Alessandro berberis, president of Torino chamber of commerce, and the union of Italian chambers of commerce, and the newly elected president of the Association of European chambers of commerce.

The luncheon witnessed an MOU Signature between QBA and the Torino chamber.

The Qatari delegates included Mr. Issa Abdul Salam Abu Issa,QBA’s Secretary General, Sheikh Khalid Bin Thani Al Thani ,QBA’s Second Deputy Chairman,and QBA’s Board Memebers: Mr. Abdullah Bin Nasser A Missnad ,Mr.Omar Bin Hamad Al-Mana, Mr.Sherida Jibran Al Kaabi, and QBA’s Members:Mr.Maqboul Habib Khalfan,Mr.Ali Abdul Reda Mashhadi ,Mr.Ibrahim Al Jaidah ,Mr.Graham Maher, Mr. Nasser Sulaiman Al-Haidar and Mr.Nabil Abu Issa. And QBA’s General Manager Mr. Hashem Mustafawi Al-Hashemi.

Mr. Issa Abdull Salam Abu Issa delivered QBA’s message during the lunch, the message focused on three main issues: the current Economic Situation in Qatar, Points of strength in the Italian Economy, Mutual means of Cooperation between Business communities in both Countries.

At the beginning Abu Issa welcomed all the attendees and the Italian delegation to Doha. And expressed QBA’s sincere felicitation for the election of Eng. Alessandro Barberis, as the new president of the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry

QBA’s Secretary General reflectted the current situation of the Qatari economy, which has maintained a good growth path and economic performance, amid the current financial turmoil and recessionary trends in the Global and GCC economies, where the growth rate has reached 9% for 2009, as per the statement of H.H the Emir Shk. Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, at his opening speech at the 38 ordinary session of advisory council.

Mr. Issa Abu Issa credited this growth to the liquidity surplus, increasing reliance on LNG exports rather than oil and the sound economic and monetary policies led by H.H The Amir and the Government in securing the financial system  carrying on with initiatives for the diversification, and supporting the private sector’s participation in the development.

A direct result of such effective economic performance is further openness to the world markets, and an improved business and investment climate locally, which is manifested by Qatar’s positioning as the 6th in the world for total project funding (that reached approx. 8.6 Billion US Dollars in the first 9 months of this year), and by its allocation of 40% of the total budgetary expenses of 2009 - 2010 for development projects, Abu Issa Said.

QBA’s Secretary General emphasized on the history of business relations between the two countries, stating that Italy is positioned as one of the top exporters to Qatar. And that the trade and industrial ties have been reflected in many joint projects that were recently celebrated by the inauguration of Rovigo LNG terminal.

Mr. Issa acknowledged the major role of Italy as one of the largest economies in the world and the 4th largest in Europe , expressing the Qatari interest in learning from the Italian experience in the small & medium sized enterprises sector, which represents a real source of wealth for the country, and has provided support during delicate stages of economic transition, basing its survival on the flexibility of its organizational structure, and which could constitute a common basis for further future cooperation especially that this trend is in harmony with our country’s national vision for economic diversification and sustainable growth.   

QBA’s Secretary General ended his speech with an acknowledgment of Italy’s constructive efforts in supporting the free trade agreement between the GCC & the European Union, hoping  that this meeting and the MOU will contribute to the development of cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

Also Eng. Alessandro berberis, the president of the Association of European chambers of commerce delivered a welcome speech where he thanked the Qatari & the Italian entities that made this important Italian business mission here possible.

He also thanked the 35 Italian companies that came from various sectors to take part in this meeting.

President Berberis commented on the historical ties between the business societies in both countries and he commented on the recent bilateral trade figures between Italy & Qatar, stating that Italy is the second major exporter to Qatar after the USA, as the exports to Qatar reached1,53 bln euro in 2008 consisting of machines and mechanical appliances Metal, means of transport and electronics. Also he mentioned that the trade dealing reached 663, 3 mln Euros in the first quarter of 2009.

As for the Qatari exports to Italy Barberis commented on the definite increase in these rates after the Rovigo regassifier will be operative which will restore the balance in the bilateral trade volume between the two countries.

At the end of his speech Eng. Berberis expressed the significance of this mission as it represents the union of Italian Chamber thanks to the efforts of the various Italian chambers and investment agencies.

 Qatari Businessmen Association

Tel: +974 4353120 Fax: +974 4353834  Email: qba@qataribusinessmen.org   P.O.Box : 24457 Doha -Qatar

Disclaimer: QBA assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or timeliness of the information. Any views or opinions expressed are those of the authors.