Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani said that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Italian Republic aims to strengthen the distinctive relations between the two countries, stressing that the visit reflects the depth of the relations and the ongoing efforts of both nations to develop them across various fields, notably energy, economy, education, health, culture, and technology.

Sheikh Khalifa said he was optimistic that HH the Amir’s visit would open new horizons for economic and trade cooperation between Qatar and Italy, noting that trade relations between the two countries have evolved greatly, and they continue to grow, which enhances mutual investment opportunities.

He explained that Italy, as a member of the Group of Eight (G8), the European Union, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is an important trade partner for Qatar with the bilateral trade witnessing significant growth in recent years, reaching QR 20 billion in 2023.

Sheikh Khalifa mentioned that there are numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding between Qatar and Italy, covering cooperation in areas such as investment, economy, alternative energy, health, sports, culture, tourism, and food security. He noted the existence of a joint Qatari-Italian business council, which seeks to enhance economic relations and explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

He pointed out that many Italian companies are investing in Qatar, some through joint projects with Qatari partners, while others are fully owned by Italian investors, noting that Italy is a primary destination for Qatari investments in various sectors, including real estate, hotels, and the development of residential areas.

Sheikh Khalifa concluded his statements by expressing his optimism that this visit would open new avenues for investment and establish new joint projects with the business community in Italy. He stressed that Qatari businessmen are looking to enhance their investments in light of the world-class infrastructure available, supported by legislative reforms and high-level banking institutions.