JAPAN-QATAR Business Reception

Japan’s Prime Minister H.E Fumio Kishida visited Qatar on July 18 as he wrapped up his first official state visit in the Gulf region. During his visit to Qatar, His Excellency Fumio Kishida held a Japan-Qatar Summit Meeting with His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, at the Amiri Diwan.

After the meeting, His Excellency Kishida attended the “Japan-Qatar Business Reception", organized by the Embassy of Japan in Qatar, and in cooperation with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), and Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME).

The event was held at Sheraton Grand Doha Hotel and was attended by several officials from the public and private sectors from both countries, including H.E Muhammad bin Hamad bin Qasim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Qatari Minister of Commerce, and Industry; Japanese businesspeople, and delegation members of the Economic Mission.

During his speech, Prime Minister Kishida pointed out that Japan has contributed to the development of Qatar primarily in the LNG sector and infrastructure improvement since the foundation of Qatar, and that the Japanese Government will continue to actively support the promotion of investment in both countries. He also expressed his hope that Japan’s efforts in the public and private sectors will lead to Qatar’s economic diversification and further strengthen the bilateral relations between Japan and Qatar.

In his keynote address, H.E Muhammad bin Hamad bin Qasim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Qatari Minister of Commerce, and Industry, stated that Japan and Qatar have a long-standing cooperation relationship. He highlighted Qatar’s attractiveness as an investment destination and its efforts toward economic reform, while also expressing his hopes for further investment from Japan.

In addition, on this occasion, the launch of direct flights between Haneda and Doha by Japan Airlines (scheduled for 2024) was announced, along with the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways on the expansion of code-sharing between the two airlines was introduced in conjunction with this new service. This will be the first direct flight by a Japanese airline to the Middle East.

Four other MoUs were also signed, including an agreement between JETRO and Qatar Investment Promotion Authority for cooperation in promoting trade and investment between the two countries.