QNA
Doha: In the framework of the firm constants of the State of Qatar and its keenness on communication, coordination and strengthening the relations with brothers and friends in all over the world, the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will start Sunday a tour of three sisterly Arab countries - the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Tunisia and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
H H the Amir’s tour comes as Qatar’s relations with those countries reached high prospects of coordination and cooperation at all political, economic, commercial, cultural and social levels, thanks to the support provided by H H the Amir and his brothers the leaders of those sisterly Arab countries.
H H the Amir’s tour, which will see talks, agreements and memorandums of understanding, is expected to contribute to supporting and promoting the relations and open new horizons of cooperation to serve the joint interests as well as the Arab issues and aspirations in general, especially as the tour coincident will increasing challenges and dangers in the Arab region, starting with the Palestinian cause and the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, to the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and other Arab countries.
The tour indicates that the State of Qatar, despite its preoccupation with the local affairs and fortifying its internal front in facing all the requirements and challenges, has not and will not hesitate to carry out its national role towards the issues of the Arab nation, and that it will remain at the forefront to defend the interests of the nation and its just and legitimate rights, and the aspiration of its people in freedom, peace, stability and prosperity.
HH the Amir will arrive in Amman Sunday and will discuss with HM King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan the bilateral relations and means of developing and bolstering them in various fields, to serve the interests of both countries and brotherly peoples, as well as key regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The visit of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Jordan is the culmination of close and deep brotherly relations between the two countries which have developed since the start of the diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1972. The mutual visits between senior officials in both countries contributed to its continuous enhancement in various fields for the good of the two peoples and the two brotherly countries, the most significant of which are the visits paid by H H the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Jordan in March 2014 and in March 2017 to take part in the Arab Summit held there, as well as the visits paid by H M King Abdullah II of Jordan to Qatar, the last of which was in June 2013.
Indicating the distinct and deep-rooted relations between Qatar and Jordan, the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani launched an initiative in June 2018 providing 10 thousand job opportunities in the State of Qatar to Jordanian youth, and investing $500 million in infrastructure and tourism projects in Jordan, thus contributing to reviving the Jordanian economy and its development in a sustainable manner.
The two countries share common views and positions towards various Arab issues, and there are continuous coordination and consultation at the highest levels regarding various issues of common concern in the region, especially the Palestinian Cause, the Middle East peace process and the situation in Syria.
Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were inked to fine-tune the relations between the two countries in areas of military; security; customs; investment; protecting mutual investments, Jordanian workers in Qatar, media, health, culture, youth, sports, air and maritime transport, double taxation, municipal affairs and tourism cooperation.
With regard to the official activities, the private sectors in the two countries are working to enhance bilateral cooperation in various business sectors, leading to building real economic partnerships that reflect the strength of existing relations and meet the aspirations of the two peoples.
Qatari investors ranked third in the list of non-Jordanian shareholders, with an investments volume of nearly USD 2 billion. The Qatari investments in Amman Financial Market ranked among the top five, estimated at Over USD 1 billion, in the real estate, finance and tourism sectors. The Qatari investments in Jordan have expanded in recent years in several fields such as the Amman East Power Plant and Shams Ma’an Power Generation solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant.
On the other hand, more than 1725 Qatari-Jordanian joint companies operate in the Qatari market. In October, Qatar Chamber (QC) hosted a delegation of Jordanian businessmen headed by the Chairman of Jordan Chamber of Commerce Nael Al Kabariti, where the two parties discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation relations, stimulate mutual investments and contribute to increased exchange trade between the two countries, which is achieving remarkable continuous growth.
It’s worth mentioning that Jordan imports from Qatar include oils, liquefied natural gas, fertilizers, cement products, pipes, polyethylene and polymers, while Qatar’s imports from Jordan include plant products; livestock; chemicals; medicines; vegetables; marble; phosphates and potash.
