Qatar keen to boost trade ties with Russia, says MoCI Undersecretary

Kazan, Russia: Qatar is keen to enhance its trade and industry relations with Russia in diverse sectors including more collaboration between private s...

Kazan, Russia: Qatar is keen to enhance its trade and industry relations with Russia in diverse sectors including more collaboration between private sectors of the two countries, a top official has said.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) Mohammed bin Hassan Al Malki said the trade volume between Qatar and Russia was around $18m last year. Al Malki was speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of 15th KazanForum, which got underway in Kazan, Russia, yesterday. 

“Before the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the trade volume was around $300 million. We are not satisfied with this number. We want to increase it really and see more cooperation between our private sector and the private sector in Russia and Kazan,” he said.

Al Malki added: “Trade between Qatar and Russia is mostly based on petrochemicals and energy. Qatari delegation’s participation in this expo is aimed to see what opportunities there are to expand this trade. We want to explore opportunities not only in the Halal food sector but also the opportunities available here in terms of real estate investments and utility investments. This is the 15th edition of the conference. Qatar has been participating in this event on a yearly basis.”

“One part [of Qatar’s participation] is to enhance economic collaboration between both countries. The other part is also good relationship between Qatar and Russia, especially Kazan,” the MoCI Undersecretary said.