Еkaterina Zaharieva: Bulgaria and Qatar are able to successfully implement common projects

Today  the Deputy Prime Minister  and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ekaterina Zaharieva met the Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar, Ahmad al Mahmud. During the  meeting she  put much emphasis on Bulgaria’s wish to carry out  projects,  with   Qatar’s support , in the field of infrastructure, renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and tourism. “Bulgaria believes that Qatar  is a valuable and reliable partner, with whom common projects can be implemented in both Bulgaria and Qatar. ”, said minister Zaharieva.

Both countries share one common philosophy that development goes through stability and hard work  is of interest of different social groups, said Ahmad al Mahmud. The Qatari party highlighted the  Bulgaria’s  important role  within the foreign political priorities of Qatar  for a  development of relations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.  The Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar expressed satisfaction with  the level of bilateral political and economic dialogue, underlining  that during the last two years we have made significant progress. He appreciates that even the caretaker government of  Bulgaria insists on developping  its relations with traditional and strategic partners such as Qatar.

Deputy prime minister Zaharieva asked the chief executive officer of Qatar Airways  Mr. Akbar al Bakar if direct flights to Sofia can be scheduled.  Our country provides added value for investors in tourism, with a rich historical heritage and natural resources for development of spa and medical tourism. The Deputy PrimeMinister  suggested that Qatar Airways could become a partner of some leading Bulgarian Tourist Companies and offer attractive holiday proposals for countries located in the Gulf. It has been suggested that Qatar Airways can arrange more flights to and from Sofia. During  the meeting it was stated  that Qatar Airways would increase the frequency of its flights to and from Sofia and they would be direct.

This afternoon, in Doha, Deputy Prime Minister  Ekaterina Zaharieva opened  the Bulgarian pavilion at the fair, organized under the VIII World Congress of trade and industry. Bulgaria had its own pavillion  to demonstrate that our country could be a tourist destination. Visitors could also get information about Bulgarian construction companies.  "Bulgarian government will support  Qatari investments in Bulgaria, and will  work actively for  the implementation of  Bulgarian companies in Qatar," she said at the opening of the pavilion. She reminded that she had requested before  and  had came to an agreement for it at a highest level in the State of Qatar. Following this agreement,   Bulgarian companies will be considered as world leading companies.

The Bulgarian pavilion has been preprared by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works,  the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism and Bulgarian Construction Chamber (BCC). Bulgaria attends this fair to explore more business opportunities.

Moreover BCC opens an office in Qatar to support Bulgarian construction companies, which wish to be present in this Arabic state. "The Congress  motto  is Opportunities  for Everyone  “I think this  motto fits well with  the relations between Bulgaria and the State of Qatar as opportunities for our countries are many," said Zaharieva. Special attendees of this event  were Sheik Khalifa bin Jassim al-Tani – President of Qatari Chamber of commerce and  Mr. Remy Rouhani – Chief executive officer of the Qatari Chamber of commerce.