Viet Nam, Qatar to enter new era of cooperation

The ambassador was optimistic about the bilateral ties on the threshold of the official visit during an interview with VGP.

How do you evaluate the significance of the upcoming official visit to the State of Qatar?

Ambassador Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel: The visit of Viet Nam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the State of Qatar comes at a time when the two countries celebrated the 30^thanniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. In recent years, the two countries' leadership has been striving to strengthen bilateral cooperation to a level commensurate with the two countries' potential, as evidenced by the exchange of delegations and high-level visits.

I believe that the visit reflects a shift toward strengthening relations between the two countries that have been actively working in recent years to upgrade bilateral relations. I also think that the focus will be particularly on economic and investment fields, with special attention to develop the Halal industry in Viet Nam and to enhance trade exchange between the two countries, as well as cooperation in the fields of tourism, clean energy, and green growth.

The attention paid by the Qatari leadership, especially H.H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani - the Emir of the State, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani - the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to strengthen relations and cooperation with the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam clearly shows the importance of this visit.

How do you expect for outcomes of the visit with any possibility for signing cooperative documents or programs which would create legal frameworks for the two countries after Viet Nam and Qatar celebrated the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties?

Ambassador Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel: In addition to the mutual relations and interests, the two countries' leaders share a common vision and desire to develop bilateral relations to a higher level that is commensurate with the potential and status of the two countries.

During the visit, several cooperation agreements and MoUs on deepening bilateral cooperation relations towards a higher level of partnership are scheduled to be signed. I am optimistic that the relations will enter a new era, after 30 years of diplomatic relations.

How do you evaluate the development of the bilateral ties over the past time?

Ambassador Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel: Diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and the Viet Nam were established on February 8, 1993. Since then, the two countries have enjoyed excellent relations based on mutual respect, trust, and interests, supported by communication, mutual visits, and the signing of agreements and MoUs.

The two countries are keen to develop bilateral relations in all sectors including politics, economy, investment, labor, culture, tourism, and education, as well as in the fields of green energy, digital transformation, and the Halal industry.

Over the past years, the two sides have signed many cooperation agreements and MoUs. Bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade and investment has also made remarkable progress.

According to the Qatar National Planning Council, bilateral trade between the two countries reached QAR 2.74 billion (US$0.75 billion) in 2023, with total exports to Viet Nam estimated at QAR 808 million and total imports estimated at QAR1.94 billion. The bilateral trade from January to September this year reached QAR 2.1 billion, with exports to Viet Nam estimated at QAR 1.08 billion and imports about QAR 1.07 billion.

The main export items are petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons, bars & rods of iron or non-alloy steel nes, polymers of ethylene, and unwrought aluminum. The main import items are smartphones, machines and machinery and sports footwear.

However, bilateral trade and investment have not yet met the expectations and potential of both sides. I am confident that the visit will contribute greatly to strengthening bilateral cooperation and thus the coming period will witness a significant increase in bilateral investment and trade.

Qatar is among the most developed countries in the Middle East. Viet Nam is one of a rising star in ASEAN. How do you assess possibilities of mutual cooperation?

Ambassador Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel: I would like to express my great admiration for the rapid development of Viet Nam, and I highly appreciate its important role in the region.

There is still room to develop and enhance economic and investment cooperation and I encourage companies and the Qatar Investment Authority to consider increasing investments in Viet Nam, especially in areas of common interest such as oil and gas, infrastructure, and agriculture, as well as in emerging areas such as green technologies, semiconductors, and electric vehicles.

I believe that the private sector in both countries can play an important role in developing bilateral relations by establishing companies, business partnerships, and investment projects in both countries.

I am confident that Qatar, with its financial resources, technology, knowledge, global connection, and logistics network, especially sea and air transport, and Viet Nam, with its economic capabilities, natural resources, geographical advantages, and position in the global supply chain, can bring great economic benefits to both. Qatar can become Viet Nam's gateway to the Middle East and North Africa, and Viet Nam can play the role of a bridge for Qatar to the Asia-Pacific region.

Do you any suggestion for Viet Nam to seek cooperative opportunities with Qatar in the areas of infrastructure, transport, seaport, renewable energy, labor export and tourism?

Ambassador Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel: Viet Nam is a manufacturing country and a hub for many industries such as electronics, clothing, furniture, coffee, etc. It is considered an important part of the global supply chain. Being a signatory to many free trade agreements and a member of several trade blocs, Viet Nam has an attractive investment environment.

Qatari companies and investors are interested in exploring investment opportunities in Viet Nam in various sectors such as agriculture, industry, tourism, real estate and banking. 

I would like to invite Vietnamese companies and investors to benefit from the investment climate in the State of Qatar and the investment incentives and facilities that the state provides to foreign investments in all sectors.

I also assure you that I will do my utmost to help Qatari companies and investors explore and learn about the economic and investment prospects in Viet Nam, and the sectors available for investment. I will help the private sector of both countries explore cooperation prospects and available investment opportunities, and provide possible support for Vietnamese investors and companies wishing to invest in Qatar.

Lastly, I take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to the Government and people of Viet Nam, wishing them all success and happiness, and for our two countries further progress and prosperity.

Thank you so much!