Doha: The State of Qatar participated in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated yesterday, with a delegation consisting of Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti and Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari.

“Qatar is among the very first countries to have supported the Belt and Road Initiative that aims for wider links between Asia, Africa and Europe. Qatar signed several agreements and MoUs that support that initiative. This returns positively on Qatar’s economy and supports its plan to becoming a key strategic and economic hub in the region and the world,” said H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti.

In Qatar, the Minister said, we look at the Belt and Road Initiative or the ‘Silk Road’ from a strategic standpoint to link it with all our infrastructure such as ports and airports.  “This helps reduce time and cost for transporting goods. At the same time, it will be the road for the passage of such goods from China to all countries around the world,” the Minister added.

He said that Qatar has an advanced world-class infrastructure in seaports, air transport and airports, in addition to its development operations in the logistics sector to fulfil the increased demand on transportation, handling and storage needs, let alone Qatar’s economic ties with several countries.  “The Belt and Road Initiative, best known as Silk Road, which China launched in 2013, will contribute to creating new industrial cities and communities in a way that supports growth and common benefits for countries on its path,” said Al Kuwari.

The Silk Road, he said, would make Qatar a key economic and strategic hub in the region and the world and allow for new significant economic alliances and partnerships, making it a pivotal and active player in world trade.

He also noted that Silk Road would complete the role modern infrastructure plays in Qatar in transportation industry such as ports and airports and maximize the benefit in a manner that achieves the desired economic development.

H E Al Sulaiti participated in a working session on the connectivity between infrastructure and transportation that was attended by several ministers and senior officials at the Forum.

H E Al Kuwari also participated in a subforum on the interdependence of trade, covering some topics about the deepening of trade connection in light of the Belt and Road cooperation through openness, inclusion and innovation. The subforum was inaugurated by a number of Chinese ministers and senior government officials. In a meeting they held with Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Marcelo, Ministers Al Sulaiti and Al Kuwari exchanged viewpoints on the Belt and Road Initiative and discussed a number of topics of common interest.

Heads and leaders of 37 countries or governments are attending the Forum.

It also attracts nearly 5000 participants from more than 150 countries and 80 international organizations, covering regions from five continents and multiple players such as governments, civil societies, business communities and academia.

The theme of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum is “Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future.” The main purpose is to promote the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, which is the common aspiration of countries participating in the initiative.  Qatar and China signed an MoU on promoting their cooperation in the building of the Silk Road during Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to China in 2014. This has since opened the door for fast-paced and comprehensive development in Qatari-Chinese relations.

Last January, the two countries also signed a MoU on promoting their cooperation and partnership with regards to the Belt and Road Initiative. This made the two countries ready more than ever to strengthen their cooperation and work for shared interests. Qatar is also a founding member of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) – a new international financial institution that aims to meet infrastructure needs in Asia within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.