Hamburg – Information Office – 24 August
HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Federal Republic of Germany Mohammed Jaham Al Kuwari affirmed that the State of Qatar has made great strides to become a central power in the Middle East through its success in affirming its position as a trustworthy partner and support to peace, stability and security efforts in the region, saying that the State is pursuing this in diplomacy, dialogue and human solidarity.
Delivering a lecture at the invitation of the "Hafen Hamburg Club" to a number of businessmen, economists and representatives of German companies from various sectors, His Excellency added that the principles adopted by the State of Qatar constituted a major factor in enabling it to face the political and economic blockade imposed on it, as it refused to submit to the blackmail of some countries. And it adhered to the independence of its sovereign decisions, and made the blockade a factor that pushes and motivates to open up more to the countries of the world to develop its economy and to take great and tangible steps towards ensuring its food and economic security, which was greatly reflected in its success in addressing the Coronavirus epidemic crisis and facing the resulting economic effects.
He explained that the Qatari economy proved during the Coronavirus epidemic crisis its flexibility and competitiveness, citing an example of the successes achieved by Qatar Airways in increasing its market share and the relief work it provided to citizens of other countries and evacuating stranded people to their countries.
In his speech, His Excellency linked the global endeavors to achieve a transformation in the use of alternative energy sources, and the continuation of stable growth around the world, which provides opportunities for the exchange of experiences and ideas to create future technologies such as hydrogen technology.
He pointed out that the geographical location of the State of Qatar and the logistical, financial, service and digital infrastructure that it possesses makes it able to provide excellent conditions for production facilities while obtaining a safe supply of energy.
Speaking about the State of Qatar as a major player in a multipolar world, he added: "Qatar has focused its activities in the sports field based on its belief in the role of sport in promoting international dialogue, exchange and interaction between cultures, which are the same principles that the State of Qatar adopts in its openness to the world, which it translated into diligent work to continue hosting international sporting events, especially the 2022 World Cup, and encouraged it to run again to host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games.
He reaffirmed that Qatar has succeeded, in record time, in becoming a milestone in the world of art and culture, as it has become a global center that attracts visitors from all over the world through cultural institutions, world-class museums and the huge libraries.
On the distinguished partnership between the State of Qatar and Germany, HE Mohammed Jaham Al Kuwari said that Qatar confirmed its intention to invest in an intensive and long-term basis in the German economy, and announced its desire to continue expanding this cooperation, which was confirmed by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, during the inauguration of the "Qatar Germany Business and Investment Forum" in 2018, with the participation of HE German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Al Kuwari stressed that the Qatari market has a lot of potential and opportunities for German companies, through industrial free zones that provide excellent conditions for long-term investment, and called on representatives of small and medium-sized companies to visit Qatar to closely learn about these possibilities that the Qatari market offers for mutual investment.
His Excellency added: "Qatar is not interested in achieving short-term economic profits, but rather in developing a sustainable, reliable and long-term partnership with Germany for the benefit of the two countries and two peoples, which can be noticed from reliable Qatari investments in major German companies such as Deutsche Bank and Volkswagen."
In his lecture, His Excellency referred to the common civilizational denominators that connect the cities of Hamburg and Doha, which have always been the gates of their countries to the world and important commercial and logistical centers, and are characterized by openness to different ideas with a culture of "hospitality" and the spirit of initiative and innovation.
The lecture was attended by HE Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Cultural and Media Affairs in German Bundestag Johannes Selle, HE head of international trade affairs department at the Hamburg State Council Corinna Nienstedt, and HE Commander of the General Command of the German Army in the state of Hamburg Captain Michael Giss.
The lecture covered four axes: Qatar as the main mediator and central interlocutor in the Middle East to promote international peace and security; Qatar as an economic power between blockade, sustainable diversification of the economy and achieving autonomy; Qatar as a major player in a multi-polar global system; and Qatar as a partner and an active investor in the German economy.
It is noteworthy that the Hafen Hamburg Club was established in 1965 in the area overlooking the Port of Hamburg to be a meeting place and dialogue between German and foreign economic actors. Over its long history, it succeeded in transforming into a platform for communication.