German small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are exploring opportunities to expand their trading activities with Qatar considerably from the current levels. Informing this to Gulf Times yesterday, the head of a German economic delegation currently touring the country to hold meetings with Qatari entrepreneurs said SMEs from Germany has enhanced their business activities with their Qatari partners in the last few years. “We have not been able to match the volume of trade carried out by some other countries in Qatar. However, we are hopeful of stepping up the activities in a big way in coming months,” said Marc Hall, who is leading the economic delegation from Berlin. Hall said though German companies in engineering, heavy equipment and automobiles have made giant strides in their activities across the region, SMEs need to go a long way to boost their trading activities with Qatar. “Germany and Qatar have many areas of interests where there could be possibility for setting up joint ventures which could be beneficial to both the countries,” said Hall, who is the chief executive officer of Bayerngas Gmbh, an integrated gas company, which is delivering its expertise in gas storage, trade, exploration and production, pipeline operations and technical services. The German delegation will hold talks with local entrepreneurs from different fields in its bid to step up trade with Qatar. “Besides holding discussions on boosting trade between the two nations, chances will also be explored to set up joint ventures both in Germany and Qatar,” Hall said. German Ambassador to Qatar Anne Ruth Herkes said she is happy with the progress being made by German companies in various areas over the past few years and said her mission would be open round the clock to help potential investors from Qatar in the German economy. The envoy recalled that German companies are among the bidders for constructing new sport complexes in Qatar, cementing their reputation, especially in the construction sector. Dr Klaus Hachmeier from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (Northern Africa and Middle East division) also spoke at the meeting. The delegation is being locally co-ordinated by the local chapter of German Near and Middle East Association (NuMov). The organisation’s CEO Helene Rang said the forum which was founded more than 75 years ago, promotes bilateral relations between Germany and countries of the Near and Middle East. Source: Gulf Times

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar