Doha Hosts Seminar on Qatari-Swiss Commercial Cooperation

Doha, January 30 (QNA) - A seminar on enhancing commercial and investment cooperation between Qatar and Switzerland took place Wednesday in the presence of representatives of public and private sectors of the two countries as well as a number of Swiss firms. Switzerland's commercial representation bureau in Qatar was launched on the sidelines of the event to serve as an umbrella for Swiss companies interested in entering the Qatari market and making use of the investment opportunities it offers. Speaking at the launch of the seminar, HE Undersecretary in the Ministry of Business and Trade Sultan Rashid Al-Khater pointed to the bilateral relations between Qatar and Switzerland and the vast potential they have for more joint commercial and investment cooperation. He underlined the need to take advantage of opportunities for the development of bilateral cooperation, underlining the importance of solidarity between the two countries to achieve ambitions and raise challenges, especially in light of several global economy shifts. Eric Martin, Head of Bilateral Economic Relations Services with the Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate, opened the seminar by launching the Swiss representation office, which will promote investment and investment opportunities in Qatar and Switzerland and enhance bilateral relations. He highlighted the significance of the representation trade office in learning about available investment opportunities in the two countries, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, health and education. Martin added that the mutual relations between Switzerland and Qatar are as wide that they include trade, investment, tourism, education, industry and other vital sectors, making Switzerland a strategic partner and a target market for Qatari exporter and investor alike. For his part, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, a member of the Qatari Businessmen Association, welcomed the audience through a speech and spoke about the Qatari foreign investments in 2012, which spanned a number of Asian countries, the United States as well as European countries, including Switzerland. (QNA)