Doha, 21 Oct. 2024

Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Azerbaijan Small & Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) held a roundtable this morning at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce Headquarter, Doha.

Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba, Second Vice Chairman, Qatar Chamber of Commerce led the Qatari business delegation and Orkhan Vidadi oglu Mammadov, Chairman of KOBIA led Azeri businessmen delegation. Present on the occasion were Mahir Muhammad Oglu Aliyev, ambassador of Republic of Azerbaijan to State of Qatar and Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansori, Acting General Manager of Qatar Chamber.

Both the sides discussed potential areas for cooperation in trade and investment, particularly in sectors such as engineering, interior design, landscape, textiles, wood, information and communication technology (ICT), financial services, automotive services, tourism, optics, and education.

Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba commended the strong bilateral relations between Qatar and Azerbaijan, noting the numerous agreements and MoUs signed between the two countries.

He pointed out that the current level of trade exchange between Qatar and Azerbaijan is below expectations, emphasizing the shared desire to strengthen economic and commercial ties. Al Athba stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the Qatari and Azerbaijani business sectors to boost trade volume.

Al Athba highlighted a 2022 agreement between the Qatar Chamber and KOBİA aimed at developing business relations emphasizing the Chamber's interest in activating this agreement and reviving the joint business council.

He expressed the interest of Qatari business owners in exploring investment opportunities in Azerbaijan and forming joint ventures with their Azerbaijani counterparts. Second Vice Chairman, Qatar Chamber of Commerce invited Azerbaijani companies to consider investing in Qatar, which offers advanced infrastructure, leading legislation, and an attractive investment climate.

Visiting KOBİA Chairman, Orkhan Vidadi Oglu Mammadov said that the Azerbaijani delegation included representatives from several leading companies specializing in tourism, agriculture, and technology.

He emphasized both countries' keenness to increase bilateral trade volume, pointing to the establishment of the Qatar-Azerbaijan Business Council, which is scheduled to hold its first meeting next year.

Mammadov invited Qatari companies to invest in Azerbaijan, particularly in priority sectors such as agriculture, industry, and food processing. He assured Qatari investors of KOBİA's readiness to provide assistance and support.

Azerbaijan Envoy to Qatar, Mahir Muhammad Oglu Aliyev praised the strong fraternal relationship between the two countries and their shared commitment to developing these ties, particularly in the economic sphere.

He commended Qatar Chamber of Commerce and KOBİA for their role in fostering commercial and investment relations between both the countries.