Minister of State and Chairman of Qatar Free Zones Authority H E Ahmad Al Sayed during the meeting.
Doha: Minister of State and Chairman of Qatar Free Zones Authority H E Ahmad Al Sayed received a Chinese business delegation in Qatar Free Zones. He was joined by QFZA senior management to welcome the delegation.
The Chinese delegation was led by Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Qatar H E Zhou Jian, and included Shengqiang Lin, President of Bank of China QFC Branch and the Chinese Business Council (CBC) in Qatar and other CBC representatives from several leading Chinese companies with operations in Qatar, including China Harbour Engineering Company, Huawei and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
During the meeting, which took place at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, the two sides discussed the strong China-Qatar bilateral relationship, trade and investment cooperation opportunities, and the role of Qatar Free Zones in supporting Chinese companies to expand in the region and worldwide. The event included a presentation from QFZA showcasing investment opportunities in Qatar Free Zones, as well as a tour of Ras Bufontas Free Zone.
Zhou Jian said, “I am very glad to lead the Chinese Business Council delegation to visit Qatar Free Zones, which is one of the major platforms supporting Qatar’s dynamic and successful economic diversification process. Qatar is an important economic and trade partner of China in the MENA region, and the bilateral trade has seen rapid and remarkable growth in recent years with China now being Qatar’s largest trading partner and the leading country of origin for Qatar’s imports. Pragmatic cooperation in the fields of green development and digital economy are being discussed by enterprises from the two brotherly countries. Having entered a new development stage, China will embrace the new development philosophy and foster a new development paradigm, focusing on cultivating domestic demand, and expanding outward foreign investment. Our bilateral investment cooperation has huge potential to be tapped. We would like to strengthen our close collaboration with QFZA to encourage and support more Chinese companies to explore investment opportunities and incentives in Qatar.”
“The Chinese Business Council in Qatar (CBC) comprises of the largest state owned and most prominent Chinese companies in Qatar with the highest level of internationalization. The CBC and its members give high regards to deepening our cooperation with QFZA, jointly facilitate the attraction of Chinese companies and the economic diversification in Qatar. We look forward to more attractive preferential policies and opportunities for the Chinese companies in QFZ. Under the leadership of Ambassador Zhou Jian, the CBC will work to accelerate the implementation of the results of the meeting.” said Shengqiang Lin, President of Bank of China QFC Branch and the CBC in Qatar.
There are currently a number of licensed Chinese companies in Qatar Free Zones. These include sector leaders China Harbour Engineering Company and Yutong Bus, as well as a range of innovative companies across the technology, logistics, industrial and food sectors.
Qatar is in the midst of rapid digital growth across all industries, including as part of preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the world’s biggest global sporting event. Partnerships with leading Chinese organizations support the continued growth and development of Qatar’s economy, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
