Beirut: During a significant diplomatic visit to Lebanon, His Excellency underscored Qatar's steadfast support for Lebanon, extending congratulations on the election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic. His Excellency expressed optimism that this development would foster security and stability in the nation, reiterating Qatar's unwavering support for Lebanon and its people in both prosperous and challenging times.
According to Qatar News Agency, the visit highlighted Qatar's commitment to providing continuous humanitarian aid, backing social initiatives, and supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, a key unifying institution in Lebanon. His Excellency emphasized Qatar's dedication to assisting the Lebanese populace and expressed eagerness to explore opportunities for cooperation with the new Lebanese government, focusing on supporting state institutions and collaborating on joint projects.
The relationship between Qatar and Lebanon is underpinned by numerous agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), facilitating collaboration in various sectors such as economic, investment, agricultural, media, security, tourism, legal, and mutual investment promotion and protection.
Economic ties have notably flourished, with approximately 1,500 Qatari-Lebanese joint companies operating within Qatar, alongside 29 fully Lebanese-owned companies across diverse sectors. The Qatari market serves as a significant destination for Lebanese products, with trade between the two nations experiencing substantial growth, particularly in agricultural goods.
Regular ministerial and trade delegation visits underscore the robust bilateral relations, with discussions focusing on enhancing ties and addressing regional concerns. In November 2023, the Qatari Businessmen Association hosted a Lebanese economic delegation led by Amin Salam, Lebanon's caretaker Minister of Economy and Trade. Salam lauded Qatari investments that bolster Lebanon's economy, emphasizing potential investment opportunities for Qatari entrepreneurs.
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani, Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, praised the enduring relationship between the two countries, highlighting Qatari investments in Lebanon dating back to the 1970s. He expressed readiness to invest further in Lebanon once stability is reinstated and emphasized the importance of capitalizing on existing market opportunities to enhance bilateral trade.
In November 2023, Amin Salam invited Qatari businessmen to explore investment prospects in Lebanon, particularly in sectors like food security, energy, and tourism. This invitation was extended during a meeting with Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani, where they discussed strengthening trade and economic relations between their respective private sectors.
On the cultural front, Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, Qatar's Minister of Education and Higher Education, visited Lebanon in April with an educational delegation to learn from Lebanon's educational advancements and explore opportunities for cooperation in curriculum development.
In March, Fayez Rasamny, Lebanon's Minister of Public Works and Transport, acknowledged the historical ties and Qatar's unwavering support for Lebanon. Rasamny emphasized the importance of advancing cooperation through joint projects, particularly in infrastructure development, to aid economic growth and address damages caused by recent conflicts.