Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar Chamber hosted the Qatar-Angola Business Meeting on Tuesday, bringing together key officials and business leaders to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties. The meeting was headed by Rashid bin Hamad Al-Athba, Second Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber, and Vicente Soares, President of the Angola Chamber of Commerce, and Industry.
Also present were QC board members Abdulla Al-Emadi, Mohamed bin Ahmed Al-Obaidli, and Dr Mohamed bin Jawhar Al-Mohamed, alongside Ambassador of Angola to Qatar HE António Coelho Ramos da Cruz, , and many business representatives from both countries.
On the sidelines of the meeting, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the Qatari and Angolan private sectors.
The agreement was signed by . Rashid bin Hamad Al-Athba and Vicente Soares, President of the Angola Chamber.
The MoU aims to facilitate the exchange of economic information, particularly regarding foreign trade, production, and export opportunities for businesses in both countries.
It also aims to promotes cooperation in exhibitions, exchange visits, and hosting regular meetings for representatives from both sides to explore and develop new avenues for economic and investment partnership.
In his remarks, Rashid bin Hamad Al-Athba said that despite the distinguished relations between Qatar and Angola, their trade volume remains below expectations.
He noted that trade between the two countries amounted to QR 42 million in 2023 and QR 25 million until November 2024, emphasizing the importance of activating the private sector’s role to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.
He also indicated that the meeting represented a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the business sectors of both countries.
He highlighted that the signed MoU would open new avenues for economic and investment partnerships, especially considering the tremendous potential of both economies.
He also emphasized the potential to establish a joint business council, which would further enhance collaboration, facilitate trade exchange, and create new opportunities for businesses in both Qatar and Angola.
Al-Athba emphasized that the areas of cooperation and partnership between the two countries are numerous and diverse, pointing out that Angola is an African economic success story and a leading investment destination.
He also highlighted that Angola has made significant strides in building a prosperous and developed economy, offering various investment incentives that attract foreign investments.
He further stressed that Qatar Chamber is committed to encouraging Qatari investors to explore the numerous opportunities available in Angola, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, mining, infrastructure, energy, and others.
For his part, Vicente Soares, President of the Angola Chamber of Commerce, and Industry, expressed the Angolan Chamber’s keenness to foster cooperation with Qatar Chamber.
He thanked Qatar Chamber and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordinating the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and expressed his desire to establish a joint Qatari-Angolan business council.
He urged Qatari investors to visit Angola and explore the investment opportunities available, as well as the incentives the country offers to foreign investors.
He also highlighted that the Angola Chamber, established in 1988, is the first institution to represent the private sector in Angola. With 1,300 members, including both public and private institutions, it covers all economic sectors in the country.
Dr Mohamed Jawhar Al Mohamed welcomed the delegation, noting that this meeting represented a successful start for enhancing cooperation between the business sectors of both countries.