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Satyendra Pathak
Doha
Ireland is in talks with Qatar to export beef and sheep to meet the growing demand for livestock in the country, an Irish minister has said.
Ciaran Cannon, Ireland's Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, told Qatar Tribune that Ireland aims to enter Qatar's food market in a big way with high-quality meat products.
"We have entered into talks with Qatari authorities to reach an agreement on supplying Irish beef and sheep to Qatari firms. The response from the Qatari side is quite positive," Cannon said.
Ireland has also sought Qatari investment in food industries and the agricultural sector of the country.
"Qatar wants to ensure regular supply of food products in its domestic market. This is the area where Ireland can support Qatar in every possible manner. Our agriculture sector including animal husbandry, is quite developed. We are ready to export our food products to Qatar," the minister said.
Ireland is also ready to impart its modern technology to help Qatar in realising its goal of self-sufficiency in the food sector.
"This is an area where Qatar can benefit a lot from Irish expertise to produce more food products in the country," the minister said.
Qatar and Ireland have immense potential to increase bilateral trade that currently stands at 500 million euros and is almost limited to the financial sectors, banking and aviation.
The minister said that private companies from both sides can play a vital role in increasing trade volume between the two countries by exploring investment opportunities available in agriculture, education, technology, health and petrochemical sectors of the two countries.
Trade ties between the two countries witnessed an upswing after the launch of Qatar Airway's direct flight between Doha and Dublin in June last year, the minister said, adding that talks are on to increase the frequency of the flight to facilitate more business between the two countries.
The minister said that Ireland expects Qatari investment in its economic sectors in the post-Brexit era.
With Britain exiting the European Union (EU), the minister said, Ireland will become the gateway to a strong consumer base of 500 million in the European continent.
The current scenario offers Qatari investors with ideal investment opportunities in Ireland.
Ireland is all set to roll out massive infrastructure projects worth €115 billion next week, he said, adding that Qatari investors can participate in these projects to reap benefits in the long run.
Real estate and tourism and technology are other areas where Qatari investors can look for opportunities to invest, the minister said.
Cannon said that a number of Irish companies are also looking to enter the Qatari market to work on various developmental projects in the country.
Around 70 Irish firms are already working in Qatar, the minister said adding that many more Irish firms with expertise in building big stadiums and organising mega sporting events are looking for opportunities to work on 2022 Fifa World Cup projects.
The minister, who met with Qatar Chamber officials during his visit to Doha, praised Qatar's private sector for playing a major role in the economic development of the country.
Qatar's private sector has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the region, he said adding that it has giving the Irish side a great opportunity to boost investments ties with Qatar.
"Qatar Chamber encourages Irish companies to invest in the Qatari market. The Chamber is ready to assist Irish companies in introducing them to the Qatari market, providing them with economic data and informing their members of the opportunities offered by the Irish side," he said, adding that there are huge investment opportunities in the Qatari and Irish markets.
Qatar Chamber Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Tawar al Kuwari, who led the Qatari side during the meeting, said the Chamber would extend all help to Irish businessmen and investors in entering the Qatari market.
