Qatar has shown an interest in the Belarusian initiatives that were put forward at Monday’s meeting of President Alexander Lukashenko and HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Belarus News Agency (BelTA) said yesterday.
“The interest has been proved by an unscheduled meeting of the heads of state that had been initiated by the Qatari side,” the agency said.
Belarus and Qatar discussed several major economic and investment projects at the Monday meeting. In particular, they discussed the possibility of implementing an investment project called “Qatari Island in Europe”.
“As part of the project, an area may be allocated in Belarus to host Qatari banks, business and cultural centres of Arab countries of the Gulf, accommodation and social infrastructure,” BelTA said.
“The sides also discussed the foundation of an enterprise to make compound fertilisers in Qatar using Belarusian potash. The feasibility study for the project, estimated to cost $1.750bn, is under development,” the agency said.
“The possibility of setting up a joint enterprise to extract potash ore in Belarus was also touched upon,” it added.
“There are plans to attract Qatari investments into the establishment of transportation and logistics centres in Belarus. The interest in building a sports and hotel centre worth about $100mn in Minsk was confirmed.”
During the meeting, Qatar and Belarus signed nine agreements.
HH the Emir and President Lukashenko held talks yesterday morning too. During the meeting at Doha’s Four Seasons Hotel, the Emir discussed with the president bilateral relations and issues of common concern, Qatar News Agency said.
Later, President Lukashenko and his accompanying delegation paid a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art. He toured various sections of the museum to see the collection of Islamic artifacts and relics. He was briefed about the museum, the largest of its kind in the region.
He was accompanied during the visit by HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari.
The president left Doha yesterday afternoon, concluding a two-day official visit to Qatar. He was seen off upon departure at Doha International Airport by HE al-Kuwari, Qatar’s non-resident ambassador to Belarus, Ahmed bin Saif Al-Moudadi, and Belarus non-resident ambassador to Qatar, Dr Alexander Sameshko.
It was the second trip to Qatar for the Belarusian president. Lukashenko first visited Doha 10 years ago. HH the Emir visited Belarus in 2009.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=453195&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
