ASIF IQBAL

DOHA

ITALY, the second largest European exporter to Qatar, is looking to win infrastructure and transport contracts in the country, a top Italian government official has said.

“We have witnessed a significant rise in bilateral trade to over 2.5 billion euros in 2011.

With their expertise in the infrastructure and transport sectors, Italian firms can boost the bilateral trade further,” Italy’s Deputy Minister for Business and Development Mario Ciaccia said.

He was speaking at the Qatar-Italian Business Forum, in Doha, on Tuesday. Ciaccia is accompanied by a business delegation with representatives from over fifty Italian companies.

According to Ciaccia, who is also Italy’s acting minister of infrastructure and transport, the present trade balance was in favour of Qatar. The Rovigo regasification terminal, which is currently working at its full capacity, has enabled Qatar to increase its LNG exports to Italy.

Commenting on opportunities for Italian firms in Qatar, Ciaccia said, “Italian firms can participate in the development of roads and activities like maintenance and technical support for the managerial works. We are also prepared to help Qatar build a world-class railway transportation system.” Ciaccia said that growth and development trigger changes in a number of crucial areas not only related to economies but also to people, tourism, education, food security, mobility and energy.

Speaking on the occasion, Qatar Businessmen Association Board Member Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al Thani urged the Italian businessmen to join hands with their Qatari counterparts and identify business opportunities in Qatar.

“The business community in Qatar is keen to benefit from the Italian experience and expertise in all sectors, and we hope our meeting will contribute to the development and cooperation between the two countries,” he added.

Later an agreement was signed by Simest and Concordia Capital to promote the presence of Italian companies in Qatar.

Simest is a financial institution that promotes Italian businesses in Italy and abroad. It is 70 percent owned by the Italian government.