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Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB) is exploring several possible investment projects in the Welsh city of Cardiff.
"We discussed a number of possible investment projects that QIIB might be interested in getting behind. And we will be exchanging some information about those projects," Cardiff Council leader Huff Thomas said in Doha on Tuesday.
Thomas is leading a delegation from Cardiff Council on a business tour of Qatar, and on Tuesday they visited the QIIB headquarters.
The delegation met with the QIIB CEO Abdulbasit Ahmad al Shaibei and a number of senior management executives.
"This is the first visit the first of many visits, I hope," Thomas said, about the discussions he had at the QIIB and his expectations and hopes about the visit.
The councillor said he has invited the top officials of the QIIB to visit Cardiff.
"We have a fantastic city and I looked forward to welcoming QIIB's top team and indeed people from all over Qatar to Cardiff in the very near future."
The delegation included Cardiff Council's chief executive Paul Orders; director (economic development) Neil Hanratty; head (economic development) Ken Poole; and chair, Cardiff International Airport, Roger Lewis.
At the meeting, the delegation made a presentation on Cardiff, the attractive opportunities the Welsh city provides investors, and the incentives being provided by Cardiff to companies and institutions to work and invest in the city, especially after Britain's proposed exit (Brexit) from the European Union.
Cardiff has a multi-million pounds portfolio of major projects in the pipeline. This is on top of the new business district in the city to the north and the south of Cardiff Central station.
As part of Cardiff Council administration's Capital Ambition programme, a new vision is created for Cardiff Bay as a major leisure destination and it has plans for a new multi-purpose arena in the Bay.
"The relations between Qatar and Britain are long, very well developed. Economic cooperation, in particular, is strong and effective at all levels. At QIIB, we are happy to be a part of this," said Shaibei.
"Cardiff is one of the most promising cities in Britain. First, is its proximity to London, and second, there are many companies that are moving to Cardiff, where there is a well-connected and good international airport."
The prices are acceptable, and Cardiff's population and economy are growing steadily, he added.
"We have noticed that a lot of financial institutions are moving to Cardiff, and new graduates prefer to work in the city to make use of the good opportunities as well as to enjoy a good standard of living. In addition, the infrastructure in the city is strong and there are many development projects, especially in relation to the train network," he said.
"Qatar Airways now offers direct daily flights to Cardiff and this has encouraged Qatari investors to invest in the city. We hope that an economic forum will be organised in Cardiff to introduce Qatari investors and businessmen to the opportunities available in the city," Shaibei added.
