Diplomatic Institute Organizes Seminar on Qatar-Japan Relations

Diplomatic Institute Organizes Seminar on Qatar-Japan Relations

Doha/ Information office/22 April 2015 / The Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a seminar on the Qatari-Japanese relations lectured by HE Japan's Ambassador to Qatar Shingo Tsuda and attended by a number of diplomats and the Foreign Ministry staff. HE the Japanese Ambassador reviewed the most important events in the history of the Qatari-Japanese relations since their establishment in 1972. He said that the relations between the two countries focused mainly on the economic aspects, but it has evolved with time to become more diverse. For decades, several Japanese companies have contributed to the development of Qatar for decades, the Ambassador said while giving examples on partnerships between Qatari and Japanese companies mainly in the field of oil and gas, along with other sectors in the state including the Doha Metro and water storage project. He noted that Japan is the first trade partner of Qatar. The volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached USD 38 billion, and there are several bilateral or multilateral joint ventures. Japanese companied have contributed to projects like Hamad International Airport, water desalination plant in Ras Abu Fontas. In 2013, the two countries agreed to diversify their relations to include other areas such as education, culture, health, tourism, sports, and human resource development. Japan also supports Qatar's host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, the Japanese Ambassador highlighted Qatar's assistance and support after Japan's natural disaster in 2011 like sending 4 million tons of liquefied gas in urgent help.