Guillermo Luis Nicolas
On June 15, 1974, the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the State of Qatar issued a Joint Communique announcing the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Fifty years ago, our leaders planted the seed of a partnership that extended beyond economic exchanges, to include cultural, educational and social cooperation.
Bilateral relations between Qatar and Argentina have witnessed a great boom during the last years, especially after the visit of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in 2010. A few years later, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani paid two State Visits to Argentina, in 2016 and 2018.
Although geographically Qatar and Argentina are separated by more than 13.000 kilometres, the bilateral relations are strongly united, not only through joint achievements but through our deep mutual feeling of friendship.
Embassies in Buenos Aires and Doha were opened 2013. Since then, the bilateral relationship has grown rapidly, mainly in commercial and investment areas. As both nations look forward to broaden their respective exports, currently the figures of our bilateral commerce show a considerable concentration on limited group of goods. Three quarters of the Argentine exports to Qatar are agro industrial goods and manufactures of the metalworking sector oriented to the oil and gas industry. Likewise, the oil and gas sector accounts for three quarters of the Qatari exports to our country. We are grateful with Qatar for having stand as Argentina’s main supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the years in which our country relied on gas imports to satisfy the demand of both households and industry.
Being a diversified economy that manufactures and exports a wide variety of goods and services, I am confident that Argentina offers great opportunities for Qatari investors across different sectors. Among them we can identify the agri-food industry, technology exchange is animal health and sanitary matters, laboratory quality system, diagnosis of brucellosis and foot and mouth disease, vaccine control, bird diseases, serological and molecular diagnosis, manufacturing, infrastructure, tourism, minerals and energy, not to mention the dynamic knowledge‑based service companies with impact on a vast range of industries.
In order to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, it would be important for both our countries to explore possible complementarities in intra-industry exchange. In this regard, I think that the knowledge-based services sector could act as a catalyzer for a renewed economic relation with benefits for both parts.
However, not everything can be restricted to the commercial and economic aspects, as we have been able to achieve excellent results in our cooperation in the field of education, as well as in the cultural and sports fields. This undoubtedly contributes to a realistic and sustainable integration of our peoples over time.
We have clear evidence of our joint work, as during the past years we have reached more than 40 agreements or memoranda of understanding that include those that have already been signed, ready for signature, or at the final stage of negotiations.
It must be underlined that Argentina has found in Qatar a generous country with a noticeable presence at the regional and international levels, known for its assistance and support not only for developing countries, but also on the international humanitarian scene, and has become a regional leader in this field.
As an example of this generosity, I would like to underlined that during the pandemic of Covid-19, Qatar provided assistance through various organizations and individuals, making available, among other supplies, masks and non-perishable food, while Qatar Airlines helped in the repatriation of Argentine citizens stranded in Asia.
In this regard, we commend Qatar for its pivotal role as a mediator in many international and regional conflicts. Qatar´s commitment to dialogue and peace is invaluable and Argentina applauds Doha´s efforts in peacekeeping and collaborative initiatives that enhance global stability and conflict resolution.
There is also a special connection between our nations, rooted in the global celebration of sports. On December 18th 2022 the Argentine male football team, led by Lionel Messi, raised the World Cup at the iconic Lusail Stadium, in front of more than 84.000 assistants. I have the honor to witness how more than 40.000 Argentines were warmly welcomed by Qatari authorities and the people of this wonderful country during the tournament, generating a feeling of true brotherhood between both peoples that will last forever. Even further, many of those who visited Qatar during the tournament then found promising opportunities in Doha, expanding our permanent and very active Argentine community here in the country.
With the hosting of the 2022 edition, the State of Qatar has earned its chapter in a magnificent manner. Qatar´s exemplary hosting of the FIFA World Cup has set new standards in hospitality and event management, underscoring Qatar´s capabilities. And for my country, with one of its biggest chapters so far, as a third star now lays on our chests, right above the Argentine flag that is engrave in each one of our jerseys. From now on, the name of this country will forever be present in our mouths and hearts.
The competition has also influenced another key aspect in the relation, as it has boost tourism and hospitality sectors tremendously. Being that since 2018 Qatari nationals can visit Argentina for tourism or business purposes without a visa, and that the same exemption applies for Argentines who wants to come to Qatar, there is a growing interest among both nationals to discover its counterpart’s landscapes, cultures, history and destinations.
Fifty years had gone by since the formalization of an historic and peaceful bond between the two nations. On this occasion, on behalf of my country, my people and myself, I salute His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the State of Qatar as we celebrate this milestone.
