15-11-2016
Over 200 companies are taking part in this year’s ‘Made in China’ expo compared to 100 last year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ahmed bin Abdullah al Mahmoud has said.
Inaugurating the second edition of the expo organised by Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre on today, Ahmed said Qatar and China have strong strategic relations in all fields, including economy.
He said,”The exhibition would help enhance economic and trade relations between the two countries both in the public and private sectors.”
He pointed out that the expo has another important value in terms of heritage and civilization as it coincides with Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture and it includes a bazaar (stores) to display Qatari and Chinese heritage and handicraft products.
The expo, held under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al Thani, was also attended by Governor of Qatar Central Bank (QCB), Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud al Thani; Chairman of QCCI, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al Thani and the Ambassador of China to Qatar HE Li Chen.
Meanwhile, addressing the opening of Qatar Chinese Economy Trade & Investment meeting, held on the sidelines of the expo, Sheikh Khalifa said, the exhibition is a clear evidence of the strong relationship between Qatar and China, which would create more mutual collaboration and successful trade transactions between businessmen of the two countries.
He said the first edition of ‘Made in China’ exhibition in 2015 yielded QR45 million worth trade transactions.
Sheikh Khalifa said GCC-China ties are considered the most prominent example in the China-Arab relations, where the Gulf’s growing regional role has been met with the China’s increasing need for a secure supply of energy.
“GCC states provide more than 50 percent of China’s energy needs, including petrochemical products and metal industries, which have expanded in the GCC long-term plans and strategies,” he said.
He said over the past few years, Qatar and China have significantly developed their economic relations and have strengthened their cooperation at all levels. One of the outcomes of this strategic relation is the launch of the first Renminbi (RMB) clearing centre in the region in Doha last year.
“As the first centre for clearing transactions in the Chinese Yuan in the region, it will increase financial connectivity between China and the Middle East and increase opportunity to expand and facilitate trade and investment between China, Qatar and the region.
“The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s (ICBC), located in Qatar Financial Center, is the clearing bank for the centre. The total currency transactions by the centre since its inauguration in June 2015 is approximately 419 billion Chinese yuan,” Sheikh Khalifa said.
In his speech at the forum, Chang Hexi, vice-director general of the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges at the Ministry of Commerce, reiterated the important role of the”Made in China” expo in developing and strengthening relations and trade exchange between China and Qatar on the one hand and between China and the GCC states on the other.
