Trade volume between Qatar and Switzerland has increased by 28 percent to $3.7bn in 2018 from $2.9bn in 2017, Qatar Chamber’s (QC) First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari has said yesterday.
Al Kuwari was speaking at a meeting with a Swiss trade team which was headed by Maya Maria Marberger.
The meeting reviewed ways of enhancing trade relations and partnership between businessmen of both countries in furniture, jewelry, IT, financial and banking services and automobiles.
Addressing the meeting, Al Kuwari also said: “The State of Qatar and Switzerland have enjoyed good bilateral relations for more than 40 years. Their economic and trade ties have seen remarkable development within the past few years. Their combined value of trade exchange hit $3.7bn last year, registering an increase of 28 percent compared to 2017 which reached $2.9bn. Swiss exports to Qatar included premium watches and jewelry”
He also said that there are many Qatari investments in Switzerland and there are about 9 Swiss companies and 51 Qatar-Swiss companies operating in the Qatari market, noting that Switzerland is a prime tourist destination for Qataris and expatriates.
There are a multitude of business opportunities for Qatari companies and their Swiss counterparts in all sectors especially in high-tech industries, Al Kuwari added
He called on Qatari and Swiss companies to engage in effective partnerships for the interest of the two economies.
He also called on the Qatari private sector to explore business and investment opportunities available in Switzerland, which is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
On her part, Marberger said that the visit aims to explore the Qatari market and review business opportunities available between Qatari and Swiss companies. She also called on Qatari businessmen and companies to visit her country to explore the investment climate and opportunities in numerous sectors, especially that Qatar has many investments in Switzerland.
Marberger added that there is a large Swiss business delegation that will visit Qatar in October to meet with their counterparts and identify cooperation opportunities.
During the meeting, members of the delegation said that the ongoing siege has contributed to attracting more investments to Qatar in light of the efforts made by the Qatari government in dealing with the crisis.
They Swiss delegates said that Qatar has managed to overcome the siege and has continued its economic growth efficiently, noting that Qatar is a great opportunity for all world investors and professionals due to its leading role in the region.
The Peninsula
10/05/2019
