PM, Qatari Emir agree to further enhance economic cooperation

DOHA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Sunday and appreciated the country’s “continued support” for Pakistan’s development initiatives.

Earlier on Sunday, the premier had arrived in Doha on a two-day visit to attend the fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

In a handout, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that PM Shehbaz was received by Qatar’s emir soon after arriving in Doha. “The two leaders held talks on a range of issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to further enhance excellent cooperation in economic and investment areas between Pakistan and Qatar,” the PMO said.

The statement said the emir “highly appreciated” the contribution by Pakistani workers in the development of Qatar and “particularly praised the role played by the Pakistani security personnel towards successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha”.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz appreciated Qatar’s continued support for Pakistan’s development initiatives and highlighted the enormous potential for enhanced cooperation between the two countries.

“He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties with Qatar and discussed ways and means to enhance collaboration in the areas of bilateral investment, trade, and export of skilled and highly skilled manpower from Pakistan,” the PMO said.

The emir welcomed PM Shehbaz to Qatar and expressed his “keen interest in enhancing economic ties between Qatar and Pakistan”. He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment and continued support for Pakistan’s development agenda, the statement said.

The PMO said that the premier extended an invitation to the emir to visit Pakistan which was “accepted with great pleasure”.

Later, Qatar Investment Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mansoor Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud called on the prime minister and exchanged views on progress made on various investment proposals in multiple sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

During the meeting, Al-Mahmoud and PM Shehbaz highlighted investment opportunities in the energy and infrastructure sectors of Pakistan. Upon his arrival in Doha, PM Shehbaz tweeted: “Just reached Doha, Qatar on the invitation of my brother HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar to attend the 5th UN conference on LDCs.

I will share Pakistan’s perspective on the socio-economic challenges facing LDCs in Asia and Africa.

” The premier further said LDCs had been “badly affected by climate change, post-pandemic and geo-strategic disruption in food and energy supply chains”, adding that the global events had left the said countries vulnerable.