BRUSSELS: Belgium and Qatar have taken concrete steps at further reinforcing their robust bilateral economic relations through the awaited visit of a high-level Belgian trade delegation presided over by HRH Princess Astrid, Representative of His Majesty the King.
Composed of 223 companies, 22 federations, two universities and 20 public organisations, the 400-people and 267 organisation-strong economic mission is expected to be deeply engaged in two days of productive exchanges of vital information and discussions with their Qatari counterparts aimed at attracting and facilitating major investments into both countries.
The mission will kick off with the Qatari – Belgian Economic Forum 2015, which is to be held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce.At the two-day event scheduled for 22-23 March 2015, several B2B meetings and networking opportunities are to be conducted, as well as sectorial events and seminars on Sports Infrastructure, Future Infrastructure Projects, Medical Technology, Energy and Technology cooperation between Qatar and Belgium, Clean Technology, and Brussels: International Arbitration Hub.
“I am convinced Belgian companies can bring a lot of expertise and know-how to partner with Qatar, not only in view of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but in the overall implementation of the National Vision 2030. We have already contributed to the construction of a lot of landmark buildings and major dredging and infrastructure works, and the best is still to come, especially in other sectors such as clean tech and water management,” he added.
Apart from HRH Princess Astrid, some of the high-ranking Belgian government officials who are visiting Doha as part of delegation include HE Didier Reynders, Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign affairs and European Affairs; HE Marie-Christine Marghem, Federal Minister of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development; HE Jean-Claude Marcourt, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy, SMEs, Foreign Trade and New Technologies of the Walloon Regional Government as well as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Higher Education of the French Community Government; HE Philippe Muyters, Flemish Minister for Work, Economics, Innovation and Sports ; HE Pieter De Crem, Federal Secretary of State for Foreign Trade; and HE Cécile Jodogne, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade & Investment for the Brussels-Capital Region and Minister of the French Community Commission in charge of Civil Service and Health Policy.
With an abundance of business and investment opportunities as well as expertise that can be explored by both Belgian and Qatari investors, the private and public organisations, Chambers of Commerce and Federations, and companies who are part of the delegation come from a wide range of major business sectors such as carbon, renewable and solar energy, water, higher education, IT, industrial & services, banking and finance, construction and infrastructure development, ports and airports, international business, research and consultancy, medical technology and pharmaceutical, sports technology, food (such as halal and Belgian chocolate), as well as independent entrepreneurs and SMEs.
