- Qatari-French economic delegation led by H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani visited Toulouse, France.
- Focus on enhancing bilateral economic relations through tours of industrial sites and research centres.
- Panel discussions emphasized investment opportunities in sectors like aerospace and biotechnology.
- Visits to Airbus headquarters and AURA AERO highlighted the potential for future collaborations.
- Strategic economic agreements build upon the groundwork laid during previous high-level visits between Qatar and France.
A high-level Qatari-French economic delegation recently visited Toulouse in the Occitanie region of southwest France. This visit was a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between Qatar and France and enhancing economic ties with various French cities.
The delegation, led by H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to France, included representatives from the Qatar Chamber, the Qatari Businessmen Association, the Qatari-French Economic Association “Cadran,” and other prominent business figures from Qatar.
Strengthening Economic Ties
The delegation’s visit to Toulouse was multifaceted, encompassing tours of industrial sites, major companies, and research centres.
These tours provided a platform to explore new cooperation and investment opportunities in Toulouse and its suburbs.
Toulouse, known as the third-largest employment area in France, is particularly attractive due to its robust sectors in aircraft manufacturing, electronics, informatics, and biotechnology.
The signing of the Twinning Agreement
A pivotal moment during the visit was the signing of a twinning agreement between the Qatar Chamber and the Toulouse Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This agreement aims to bolster economic relations and open new horizons for cooperation between the two sides.
The signing ceremony was attended by key figures, including Patrick Piedrafitta, President of the Local Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Toulouse, and Jean-François Rezeau, President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Occitanie region.
Panel Discussions and Investment Opportunities
The visit featured a panel discussion focused on the investment opportunities in both Qatar and France.
Abdul Rahman Al Ansari, a member of the Qatar Chamber’s Board of Directors, highlighted the strong bilateral relations and the numerous investment opportunities available in various sectors.
He emphasized the Qatar Chamber’s commitment to fostering closer ties between Qatari and French business owners, encouraging cooperation, and facilitating the establishment of commercial alliances and joint projects.
Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani, another member of the Qatar Businessmen Association’s Board of Directors, underscored the visit’s importance in strengthening trade and economic relations.
He discussed the various investment opportunities that the visit highlighted, stressing the mutual benefits of these collaborations.
Visits to Key Industrial Sites
The delegation’s itinerary included a visit to Airbus headquarters, where they were briefed on the company’s significant facilities and advanced infrastructure.
This visit underscored the importance of the aerospace sector in Toulouse and the potential for future collaboration.
Additionally, the delegation toured the Francazal region and the AURA AERO company, which specializes in electric propulsion aircraft.
They also visited the Pierre Fabre Medical Center and the Oncopole Institute, gaining insights into the cutting-edge research and medical advancements in these institutions.
Strategic Economic Agreements
Ambassador Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani highlighted the strategic importance of the economic agreements signed during H H Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to France last February.
This visit was led by the Amir and accompanied by a large official delegation. It laid the groundwork for the agreements signed during the delegation’s visit to Toulouse.
Altogether, the high-level Qatari-French economic delegation’s visit to Toulouse was a landmark event in enhancing bilateral economic relations.
The delegation’s activities, including the signing of the twinning agreement, panel discussions on investment opportunities, and visits to key industrial sites, underscored the mutual commitment to fostering economic cooperation and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
This visit marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties between Qatar and France, promising a future of robust and dynamic economic partnerships.
