Qatar, Portugal sign pacts to boost energy, tourism ties

Portugal wants a long-term political and economic relationship with Qatar, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said yesterday.

“This is the first visit to Qatar by a prime minister of Portugal. The framework of the relationship is being readied. There are areas (such as) finance, tourism, energy and telecommunications where we feel we can use mutual co-operation,” Socrates told Gulf Times.

A Portuguese embassy in Doha is also in the offing, he told reporters after leading a ministerial delegation in talks with HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani.

A source said the first Portuguese ambassador to Qatar was already present in the country.

Following talks between the prime ministers two agreements were signed.

In October, Portuguese Minister of Economy and Innovation and Development, Jose Vieira da Silva told Gulf Times in Doha the two countries were preparing a tourism co-operation agreement and another on economic co-operation.

Da Silva yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Qatari Ministry of Energy and Industry pertaining to renewable energy. From the Qatari side it was signed by HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Industry, Dr Mohamed Saleh al-Sada.

The second MoU was signed between Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and the Portuguese Ministry of tourism co-operation. This was signed by QTA chairman Ahmed al-Nuaimi and Portuguese Secretary of State for Economy, Carlos Zorrinho.

Tourism chips in 11% of Portugal’s GDP.

Portugal is one of the largest producers of energy from renewable sources. More than 40% of electricity in the country comes from renewable sources, Socrates said.

“We have every good expertise that Qatar can use on renewable energy,” he said.

According to him, there are more opportunities for the two countries in sectors such as infrastructure and banking.

“We have a lot of opportunities and we want to go further … to have a more stable commercial connection. We discussed today two things: first, Qatar and Portugal should have a more close political connection, and second we want a better and more ambitious economic relation,” Socrates said.

The official two-day visit, he said, was reciprocal to one Qatari Prime Minister made last year.

When asked Socrates categorically denied his delegation was in Doha to seek help in Lisbon’s mounting debt and maintained that the two sides discussed two-way investments.

“We want to invest here, Qatar wants to invest in Portugal. We discussed Qatari investments and Portuguese enterprises (coming to) Qatar,” Socrates said.

Socrates later held a meeting with HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.

Separately, HE the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdurrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani met Portugal’s Minister for Public Works, Transport and Communications, Antonio Mendonca and the accompanying delegation.

The meeting discussed aspects of co-operation between the Portuguese Ministry for Public Works, Transport and Communications and the Qatari Public Works Authority “Ashghal” on infrastructure projects.

During the meeting, Ashghal’s chairman, Nasser Ali al-Mawlawi, gave a presentation about the current and future projects undertaken by the authority.

Meanwhile, HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz al-Thani met the visiting Minister for Economy, Innovation and Development of Portugal, Vieira da Silva.

Talks dealt with bilateral relations and means of enhancing them particularly with regard to business and trade sectors.

Photocaption: HE the Minister of State for Energy and Industry, Dr Mohamed Saleh al-Sada, and Portuguese Minister of Economy and Innovation and Development, Jose Vieira da Silva exchange documents after signing an agreement as HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates look on