Doha: In cooperation with the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Office in Qatar (AHK), Qatar Chamber hosted a workshop with a German delegation representing the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), led by Ragnar Strauch. The meeting was chaired by Abdulrahman Al Ansari, Qatar Chamber Board Member and Chairman of its Industry Committee, and attended by Dr. Martin Henkelmann, AHK's CEO, along with representatives from 12 leading German industrial companies.
According to Qatar News Agency, Abdulrahman Al Ansari highlighted the strong ties between Qatar and Germany, noting the progress in bilateral cooperation, particularly in investment, trade, industrial development, and technology transfer. Germany remains a key trading partner for Qatar, with a trade volume exceeding QR 6 billion last year, compared to QR 7.1 billion in 2023. Qatar's investments in Germany exceed EUR 25 billion, spanning sectors such as automotive, telecommunications, financial services, hospitality, and real estate.
Al Ansari emphasized the potential for further collaboration between Qatari and German businesses in areas like energy, renewable resources, sustainable infrastructure, logistics, education, smart technology, and pharmaceuticals. He reiterated Qatar Chamber's commitment to fostering partnerships and leveraging German expertise through joint ventures and industrial alliances, especially in sectors like manufacturing, renewable energy, advanced technology, and technical education.
Ragnar Strauch stated that the VDMA includes 3,600 German industrial and engineering companies specializing in machinery and industrial devices across 35 sectors. He mentioned that 160 German companies are interested in investing in Qatar, particularly in energy, industry, and petrochemicals.
Dr. Martin Henkelmann noted the frequent visits of German business delegations to Qatar via Qatar Chamber, with the current delegation consisting of 12 leading German companies in innovation, energy, industry, and automation, eager to collaborate with Qatari firms and share their expertise.