Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Qatar H E Rashad Ismayilov
Highlighting the strength of multidimensional relations, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Qatar H E Rashad Ismayilov has said that the bilateral trade relations between Azerbaijan and Qatar have been developing mostly since 2017.
“Our bilateral relations are based on friendship and mutual trust, strong solidarity and productive cooperation. I believe that over the time, we have been able to develop our cooperation not only in the political field, but also in various fields,” the Ambassador added in an exclusive interview with The Peninsula on the end of his tenure in the country.
He said: “Taking into account the work done and success accomplished in the fields of economy, trade, culture, education, tourism and others, I can evaluate our relations as multidimensional.”
“As for future growth of these relations, given their solid foundation and strong structure, I am confident that they will keep ascending steadfastly. And I avail the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the government and the people of the friendly Qatar for their indispensable assistance and support during my tenure, which helped enormously to achieve our targets.”
To a question about Qatar’s hosting of 2022 FIFA World Cup, he said that hosting the FIFA World Cup first time in the Middle East region was a ‘remarkable and momentous’ event.
“For the past period we have been observing a serious attitude and very responsible approach to organising the World Cup by the Qatari authorities ... Qatar managed to host this mega sport event with great success. We congratulate Qatar sincerely on the high level organisation and successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.”
Talking on bilateral trade and its growth prospects, the Ambassador said that bilateral trade relations between Azerbaijan and Qatar have been developing mostly since 2017.
“One of our main goals in this regard is to achieve the diversification of goods and products involved in import and export operations between our countries. Relevant authorities from both sides are in permanent contact to discuss the ways of facilitation of existing logistical and other issues to gradually enhance bilateral trade.”
The Ambassador added: “We believe that with more active engagement of business circles of Azerbaijan and Qatar we’ll be able to better make use of the existing vast potential for bilateral trade expansion. I would like to underline that the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan H E Mikayil Jabbarov paid an official visit to Qatar on October 31, 2022 and had a number of meetings with the leaders of the economic and investment authorities of Qatar where the both sides also discussed the ways of strengthening bilateral trade relations.”
“Besides, on October 31, 2022, in the framework of the visit of the Minister Jabbarov, the newly established Azerbaijan Trade House was officially inaugurated in Doha," he said.
“The Trade House serves as a contact point and coordinator between business circles of both countries. Thus, local producers or traders can contact the Trade House to find relevant partner or goods in Azerbaijan or Qatar. Besides, various types of goods produced in Azerbaijan are showcased there and Qatari businessmen as well as ordinary customers can purchase those products.”
Regarding investment opportunities in Azerbaijan for Qatari investors, the envoy said that there are huge opportunities for investments in energy and renewable energy sources, agriculture and food production, tourism, transport, information and communication technologies, chemical industry, construction, infrastructure projects and others.
“After restoration of its territorial integrity Azerbaijan can propose attractive investment projects in various fields also in the de-occupied territories.”
Ambassador Ismayilov noted that Azerbaijan is very interested in developing non-oil sector of its economy and implements relevant policy to make it more attractive to foreign investors by creating favourable conditions and introducing certain incentives.
“We look forward to launching mutually beneficial investment cooperation with our Qatari partners.”
The Ambassador said that Azerbaijan and Qatar have already signed several agreements in the areas of investment promotion, tourism, education, information and communication technologies, agriculture, security and culture.
“We are pretty sure that these documents have been positively influencing the promotion and further development of bilateral relations between our countries as they provide solid legal ground to enhance and broaden existing cooperation.”
To another question about plans to sign new agreements in the near future, he replied: “We have been constantly working with our Qatari counterparts to expand the existing bilateral legal framework and there is a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in various fields such as labour, tourism, agriculture and others currently under consideration by competent authorities of both states. We do hope that with active involvement of experts from both sides in 2023 we can advance in completing and signing those documents.”
He said that in the third meeting of the Azerbaijan-Qatar Joint Economic, Trade and Technical Commission, which was held on October 18, 2021 in Baku, both sides approved its Protocol envisaging implementation on joint activities in various fields of mutual interest.
“As for its next meeting, according to the rotation procedure it should be held in Doha and we’ll be discussing with the Qatari partners organising that event in the course of 2023.”
Talking about tourism sector’s role in bringing two nations closer, the Ambassador said that tourism is one of the permanently and dynamically growing sectors of economy and many countries are continuously working on expanding local tourism infrastructure and promotion activities abroad to attract more tourists.
“The same we can say about Azerbaijan and Qatar as well. We have been witnessing a sustainable rise in volume of tourists from Qatar visiting our country for the past several years. Azerbaijan already became an attractive destination amongst tourists and we are ready and will be glad to receive more tourists from Qatar in all regions of Azerbaijan where they can experience our rich culture, picturesque nature as well as delicious cuisine thus bringing our two nations closer.”
He said that on the sidelines of the Joint Commission’s 3rd Meeting held on October 18, 2021 in Baku, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan H E Jeyhun Bayramov and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani signed Agreement on mutual exemption from entry visa requirements for ordinary passport holders.
“Taking into account that after slight simplification of COVID-19 related restrictions in May 2021 we succeeded in resuming direct flights between the two capitals, Doha and Baku operated by Qatar Airways; we hope that signing of the above-mentioned agreement will serve to increasing of tourism flow between our countries.”
