+ A
A -
Hisham Aljundi
Doha
THE new Canadian Ambassador to Qatar HE Stefanie McCollum has highlighted more plans to enhance the bilateral relations between Canada and Qatar on all levels.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune recently, HE McCollum stressed that Canada is a real partner for Qatar on different levels of cooperation, emphasising that more Canadian investments will enter the Qatari market in the upcoming era.
"We are partners already with Qatar on multiple fronts such as humanitarian issues, defence and regional security. We always sit round the same tables. So, I think there are some opportunities to look at concrete projects and deliverables," she said.
HE McCollum said she is very fortunate to come to a country which has a warm relation with her nation as Qatar and Canada enjoy great ties.
"Living and working here is very interesting and comfortable for all the 9,000 Canadians here with their families, principally working in education, oil and gas and infrastructure projects and all sorts of other industries," the envoy said.
Commenting on the bilateral trade between the two countries, HE McCollum said, although it is still modest with around $250 million per year on services trade and $174 million on merchandise, the volume will increase as Canadian investors look positively at Qatar for its motivating investment environment which had already drawn successful Canadian businesses such University of Calgary, College of the North Atlantic and Brookfield which are active in Qatar."Canada is looking to diversify its trade and investment around the globe. So, I think there are real plans as Qatar is a friendly country in the region."
Speaking about the Gulf crisis, the Ambassador emphasised Canada's keen interest in the stability of the region.
She said,"It is our priority to see GCC countries in a cohesive relationship. I think, through what we have seen, Qatar has done extremely well in the crisis, and with the blockade imposed on it, as it diversified its markets and increased its sustainability."
The Ambassador said a group of Canadian educational institutes will visit Qatar next month to seek investment opportunities in the field of education.
On the rift between Canada and Saudi Arabia, McCollum said,"We are concerned on the impact of that on the Saudi citizens as much as on Canadian citizens. We always support human rights everywhere in the world and we are ready to resolve the issue for the sake of the entire region."
