Sameh Saeid
Doha
Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al Thani on Monday described the agreement signed between Qatar and Argentina an important step towards economic relations between the two countries.
"The current economic situation motivates our countries to explore innovative ways to build on the achievements, and face current and future challenges," he said.
"This will happen through cooperation between the public and private sectors, and by removing obstacles that block large scale investments in the emerging sectors."
He was addressing a joint meeting held on Monday between an Argentine delegation, headed by the country's Vice President Marta Gabriela Michetti, and representatives from the Qatar Chamber and businesses such as Hassad Food and Woqod.
Qatar and Argentina on Sunday signed an agreement to boost mutual investments while enhancing the volume of trade, which accounted for $181 million last year.
Sheikh Ahmed said that both the countries had the potential and resources to increase the volume of trade and called for greater efforts to activate other agreements that would boost trade.
In her speech, Michetti said that Argentina had introduced a new policy to encourage and create positive environment for foreign investments, and urged the Qatari private and public sectors to invest in all economic sectors in the country, including agricultural, mineral and energy sectors.
"The Argentine government has taken concrete steps to resolve the problems of investors and encourage investment," she said.
Providing instances, she said her country had removed unnecessary export taxes and import restrictions, set up a website for public tenders and established a special agency to promote investment and trade.
She further said that Argentine companies had the resources and the experience to participate in the ongoing infrastructure projects related to the hosting of 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Vice Chairman of Qatar Chamber Muhammed bin Ahmed bin Towar al Kuwari told Qatar Tribune that the chamber would orgnaise a visit to Argentina for Qatari businessmen so that they can explore the potential investment opportunities.