DOHA: The Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani met Italy’s Minister of Economic Development Frederica Guidi and her accompanying delegation here the other day.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral ties and discussed means to develop co-operation in the economic and investment affairs. They also discussed enhancing commercial ties by stimulating chambers of commerce in the two countries and the private sector to benefit from agreements and exchange of visits.
The meeting discussed possibilities holding and participating in exhibitions and trade fairs in both countries to introduce their goods and products.
Qatar and Italy have several economic and trade agreements. They include an economic, trade and technical co-operation agreement signed in 1996, an agreement on stimulation and mutual protection of investment (2004), and another on avoidance of double taxation.
In 2013, trade volume between the two countries amounted to QR15.2bn, of which Qatari exports were worth QR9.6bn.
Qatar’s exports to Italy included oil, distillation products, plastics and their products, organic and inorganic chemicals and aluminium.
Qatari imports from Italy touched QR5.6bn, mainly comprising machinery, boilers, electrical and electronic equipment, iron and steel products, prefabricated buildings, furniture, lighting and automobiles.
