Ambassador Abel: Vietnam And Qatar Embark on New Chapter of Cooperation

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On the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Qatar, Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel, ambassador of Qatar to Vietnam, shared about the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Soltan bin Saad al-Muraikhi on July 19, 2024, in Hanoi. Photo: VNA

What is the significance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Qatar?

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to the State of Qatar takes place following the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries (1993-2023).

In recent years, the leaders of the two countries have made efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation to a level commensurate with their potential, as evidenced by the maintenance of delegation exchanges and high-level visits.

This visit reflects a shift towards strengthening relations between the two countries, which has been positive in recent years, to upgrade bilateral relations.

Both sides are expected to focus on economic and investment sectors, develop the Halal industry in Vietnam, and increase bilateral trade, as well as cooperate in tourism, clean energy, and green growth.

Ambassador Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel. Photo: Embassy of Qatar in Vietnam

What are your expectations for the outcomes of the visit, especially regarding the possibility of signing documents or cooperation programs to create a legal framework for the two countries after Vietnam and Qatar celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations?

Besides the shared interests and benefits, the leaders of the two countries share a common vision and desire to elevate the bilateral relationship to a higher level, commensurate with the potential and status of the two countries. During the visit, a number of cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding to deepen bilateral cooperation towards a higher-level partnership are expected to be signed.

I am optimistic that the relationship between the two countries will enter a new era, after 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations.

How do you assess the development of bilateral relations over the past period?

Diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and Vietnam were established on February 8, 1993. Since then, the two countries have enjoyed excellent relations based on mutual respect, trust, and common interests, supported by exchanges, mutual visits, and the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding.

The two countries aspire to develop bilateral relations in all fields, including politics, economics, investment, labor,culture, tourism and education, as well as in the fields of green energy, digital transformation, and the Halal industry.

Over the years, the two sides have signed many cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding. Bilateral cooperation in trade and investment has also made significant progress.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Hanoi on the afternoon of August 15, 2022. Photo: VNA

According to the Qatar National Planning Council, bilateral trade between the two countries reached 2.748 billion Qatari Riyals (US$754 million) in 2023, with estimated total exports to Vietnam at 808 million Riyals (US$222 million) and estimated total imports at 1.94 billion Qatari Riyals (US$532 million).

Bilateral trade from January to September this year reached 2.15 billion Riyals (US$590 million), with estimated exports to Vietnam reaching 1.08 billion Riyals (US$296 million) and imports reaching approximately 1.07 billion Riyals (US$294 million).

However, bilateral trade and investment have yet to meet the expectations and potential of both sides. I am confident that this visit will make a significant contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation and, as a result, the coming period will witness a significant increase in bilateral investment and trade.

How do you assess the potential for cooperation between the two countries?

I would like to express my deep admiration for Vietnam's rapid development and I appreciate Vietnam's important role in the region.

There is still much room for development and strengthening economic and investment cooperation, and I encourage Qatari companies and investment funds to consider increasing investment in Vietnam, especially in areas of mutual interest such as oil and gas, infrastructure, and agriculture, as well as in emerging areas such as green technology, semiconductors, and electric vehicles.

I am confident that Qatar, with its financial resources, technology, knowledge, global connectivity, and logistics network, especially maritime and air transport, and Vietnam, with its economic capacity, natural resources, geographical advantages, and position in the global supply chain, can bring great economic benefits to both countries. Qatar can become Vietnam's gateway to the Middle East and North Africa, and Vietnam can serve as a bridge for Qatar to the Asia-Pacific region.

What are your suggestions on investment areas that can create opportunities for businesses of both countries?

Vietnam is a manufacturing country and is the center of many industries such as electronics, garments, furniture, and coffee. Vietnam is considered an important part of the global supply chain. As a signatory to many free trade agreements and a member of several trade blocs, Vietnam has an attractive investment environment.

Qatari companies and investors are interested in exploring investment opportunities in Vietnam in many areas such as agriculture, industry, tourism, real estate, and banking.

I am also eager to invite Vietnamese companies and investors to participate in the Qatari market where they will benefit from the investment environment, incentive policies, and infrastructure for foreign investment in all fields.

I will do my best to help Qatari companies and investors explore and learn about the economic and investment prospects in Vietnam, as well as the sectors that are ready for investment. I will contribute to connecting the private sectors of both countries to explore cooperation prospects and feasible investment opportunities, as well as provide possible support for Vietnamese investors and companies wishing to invest in Qatar.

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