Cairo / Information Office / September 29
HE the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Arab Republic of Egypt Salem bin Mubarak Al Shafi stressed that Egypt is a country with strategic weight, and its pivotal role in the region cannot be neglected, pointing out that he is part of an integrated system that works to achieve the maximum possible rapprochement in the Qatari-Egyptian bilateral relations.
In his first press statements after handing over his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Egypt, His Excellency said that he felt all the welcome, friendliness and warmth from the Egyptian side when he came to Egypt, adding that he felt it while he was presenting his credentials to HE President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and during his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry.
He also pointed out that he felt welcomed at the popular level since his arrival, adding that the two people are brothers with deep ties of identity, language, and social and cultural heritage. He stressed that Egypt is a country that has a great impact on Arabs, noting that it is the kind of country you feel you have known for a long time.
His Excellency said that he is very optimistic and proud that he will work on this matter in his capacity as the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Arab Republic of Egypt, adding that being chosen for this position was a great honor for him, stressing that he will not hesitate to work on strengthening and consolidating relations and will also work to bring views closer and remove obstacles that may stand in the way.
Qatar's Ambassador to Egypt revealed that there is a lot movement and a mutual desire between the two side for rapprochement and strengthening bilateral relations. This is clear from the mutual meetings, the Qatar-Egypt Follow-up Committee emanating from Al-Ula Declaration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the exchange of Ambassadors, the positive statements, the media momentum, the real will of the leaders of the two countries to achieve rapprochement and strengthen relations, and the efforts from both sides to translate this will and desire into reality.
Al Shafi said that agreements are usually set up to regulate, organize and facilitate different aspects of relations between the two sides in various sectors, so either these agreements are activated or new ones are developed according to the requirements of the time.
He said that new agreements have already been signed during the last meeting of the Qatar-Egypt Follow-up Committee in Doha, adding that there is an upcoming meeting next October and all things are going steadily in the right direction that emerged from Al-Ula Declaration. He added that signing agreements usually occurs in a routine and natural manner and in line with the improvement of relations between the two sides in various issues and sectors, whether in the investment, financial, cultural, educational, logistical sectors or others.
He stressed that Egypt is a fertile land for investment, and a tourist destination that contains various historical treasures, in addition to containing all the elements of success, excellence and progress, as well as many attractive elements and promising sectors in various fields; thus, it is certain that there is a real interest in increasing the volume of mutual investments, enhancing them and diversifying them.
The Ambassador said that they will work to raise the volume of bilateral trade, facilitate mutual investments and remove obstacles that may prevent that. He added that Qatar already have many investments in Egypt, and Qatar Investment Authority alone has investments estimated at about $3.317 billion in resorts and tourism projects for example. He also said that the number of Egyptian companies operating in Qatar increased about 14 percent compared to 2017. He expressed the desire to expand and increase these investment and remove any obstacles that prevent that.