Qatar Chamber has hosted the first meeting of the Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council in the attendance of Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, HE Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed; Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Kamaladdin Heydarov; and Second Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari.
The council meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Mohammed bin Jawhar Al Mohammed, Qatar Chamber Board Member and Chairman of the Qatari Side, and Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) and Head of the Azerbaijani Side, in the presence of members from both sides.
The Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council meeting discussed the abundant cooperation opportunities between the Qatari and Azerbaijani business sectors across various fields, as well as the investment climate and the opportunities available for companies in both countries.
Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari highlighted the Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council’s role in strengthening Qatar-Azerbaijan economic ties and fostering cooperation across key sectors. He noted the Council’s effectiveness in connecting businesses, facilitating experience exchange, and building strategic partnerships for mutual economic growth.
Twar expressed confidence that the Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council would drive investments, boost trade, and enhance the investment climate, especially in sectors like agriculture, energy, logistics, tourism, technology, and food. He emphasized the Chamber’s support in facilitating communication and encouraging joint initiatives to benefit both economies.
Kamaladdin Heydarov said that the first meeting of the Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council marks a significant step in strengthening Qatar-Azerbaijan relations, benefiting the business community, especially the private sector. He highlighted ongoing discussions to enhance trade relations through the Joint Economic, Trade, and Technical Committee and expressed confidence that the Council will play a key role in boosting trade ties between both countries’ private sectors.
Dr. Mohammed Jawhar Al Mohammed, Chairman of the Qatari side at the Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council, emphasized the strong and growing economic ties between Qatar and Azerbaijan, supported by multiple agreements and MoUs. However, he noted that trade volume remains below expectations, totaling only about $2.75 million (QAR 10 million) last year.
He highlighted recent growth in key sectors like agriculture, food security, energy, and tourism, as well as increasing Qatari interest in the Azerbaijani market. Al Mohammed stressed the Qatar Chamber’s commitment to enhancing private sector partnerships, particularly in trade, agriculture, energy, and tourism.
He called the Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council a vital platform for improving communication, fostering joint investment projects, and exploring new opportunities. Al Mohammed encouraged business owners from both nations to leverage available incentives and form strategic partnerships to support sustainable development and boost their economies.
Image credits: QNA | Cropped by GBN
Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of KOBIA and Head of the Azerbaijani side, called the Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council meeting a significant step in strengthening Qatar-Azerbaijan economic relations. He highlighted key sectors for cooperation, including agriculture, tourism, and technology, and emphasized the Council’s role in connecting entrepreneurs, exploring joint project opportunities, and promoting products and services from both countries.
Mammadov noted that the Azerbaijani delegation includes several investment bodies and 30 companies, reflecting Azerbaijan’s strong interest in expanding economic ties and entering the Qatari market. He also reaffirmed KOBIA’s readiness to support Qatari investors looking to establish projects in Azerbaijan and take advantage of the country’s economic benefits and investment incentives.
During the Qatar-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council meeting, both sides delivered several presentations on the investment opportunities available in each country. Nasser Al Kaabi, from the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar), gave a presentation on Qatar’s investment climate, while Aisha Al Mulla, from Qatar Tourism, presented an overview of Qatar’s tourism sector. For its part, the Azerbaijani side delivered presentations highlighting investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, including those available in the Alat Free Economic Zone.
