President Opens Doors to Economic Cooperation and Potential Investors in Qatar

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović arrived in Qatar on Saturday to open doors for Croatian companies in the market of this wealthy Gulf emirate. The President met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani in Doha, and on Sunday will discuss with the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

The appeal of this country for business lies in the high standard enabled by rich oil and gas reserves. Energy resources account for 90 percent of exports and more than 75 percent of the budget revenues of this emirate with about 2.5 million inhabitants, of which 310,000 are Qataris.

Qatar has previously shown interest in the planned LNG terminal on Krk, a strategic project of Croatia and the EU that is expected to be operational by 2019, aimed at reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian gas. The construction momentum due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup presents an opportunity for Croatian construction companies, and the fact that Qatar is one of the major arms buyers is a chance for the military industry.

>>> Grabar-Kitarović: Croatia is Open to Czech Investments

Representatives of about ten Croatian companies have arrived in Qatar, including Crosca, Đuro Đaković, Končar, Jadranka Hotels, and Podravka, which is expected to sign a valuable contract with a Qatari partner on Sunday.

“Qatar is one of the countries where decisions are made at high levels, and the greater the intensity and exchange of visits, the greater the opportunities for our economy,” said Grabar-Kitarović to reporters. “I hope that we will lay the foundations for the participation of the Croatian economy in Qatar and potential Qatari investments in Croatia through direct talks with Qatari leadership and businessmen,” she added.

President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Luka Burilović emphasizes that the goal is to convey to Qatari investors that Croatia is an attractive country for investment. “Our entrepreneurs who are already successfully operating in this market are proof that it is a good opportunity for export, and I am confident that this visit will bring new business contracts,” said Burilović.

Architect Otto Barić, who designed a hall worth 150 million euros for the 2015 World Handball Championship in Doha, says that it is difficult to break into the Qatari market and that gaining the trust of local business people is crucial. “This visit has special significance because without political and institutional support, it is not possible to break through here,” emphasizes Barić.

>>> Slovenian Media: Italian Investor ‘Set an Ultimatum’ for the Purchase of Cimos

The meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister also included the Director of the Croatian Armed Forces General Staff, Rear Admiral Robert Hranj, President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Burilović, and the President of the Islamic Community in Croatia, Mufti Aziz Hasanović.

The Croatian delegation emphasizes that the good political and economic relations between the two countries can also be attributed to the excellent ties of Croatian Muslims with Qatari leaders, who financed the construction of the Rijeka mosque opened in 2013. They also express pleasant surprise at the warm reception in Doha, which has been visited by almost all top Croatian officials in the past decade.

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani interrupted his vacation due to the arrival of the Croatian delegation, and the President was privately received by the former Qatari Emir, the “father Sheikh” Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who spent several summer vacations sailing along the Croatian coast. Grabar-Kitarović will meet with his wife, Sheikh Mozah bin Nasser Al Missned, who leads a private foundation for education, science, and research, Qatar Foundation. At the end of the visit, a forum of Qatari and Croatian entrepreneurs is planned.