Russia set to propose Qatar set up agro-industrial hub in country with increased agricultural exports - Russian first deputy PM
DOHA. March 17 (Interfax) - Russia may consider the establishment of an agro-industrial hub in Qatar and it is ready to increase supplies of halal agricultural products there, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said at the fifth meeting of the joint Russian-Qatari commission on trade, economic and technological cooperation in Doha.
"Our trade is already dominated by grains, primarily, wheat and barley. We stand ready to increase shipments of agricultural products, including halal ones. We mean not only to ensure Qatar's food security, but also to set up a regional agro-industrial hub in your country. Beef, poultry meat, sunflower oil and confectionery products are also among the promising export goods," Manturov was quoted as saying in a statement by his secretariat.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani attended the intergovernmental commission meeting from Qatar's side.
The parties discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and finance, transportation and digital technologies, as well as in humanitarian projects, including culture, sports, and education, the statement said.
The two sides focused on industrial cooperation in such sectors as pharmaceuticals, shipbuilding, energy engineering, including renewable energy, it said.
In particular, Russia is considering the localization of production in Qatar with the transfer of corresponding technologies, along with the supply of medicine to Qatar. "Additionally, advanced domestic developments in shipbuilding, specifically hydrofoil passenger vessels and environmentally friendly noiseless electric vessels, which are successfully operated in Russia, are opening up new opportunities for cooperation," it said.
Manturov, who was quoted in a statement published on the Russian government website on Sunday, noted the potential for cooperation in digital technologies. "Russian companies have unique developments in the area of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and information security solutions. I will emphasize the opportunities for cooperation between Moscow and Doha in such a topical area as smart city technologies," he said.
Manturov also noted a positive trend in promoting tourism cooperation. "Over 100,000 Russian citizens visited Qatar last year. Qatari nationals are also showing increasing reciprocal interest, as we received about 11,000 tourists from your country in 2024. This is quite clear, as Russia combines unique natural and climatic, cultural and historical features with a fast-growing hospitality and safety industry," Manturov said.
Speaking of sports cooperation, Manturov said that Doha hosted the Heavenly Grace Cup international rhythmic gymnastics tournament, which was organized at the initiative of Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva last November. The interdepartmental memorandum of understanding in physical culture and sports, which is expected to be signed in the near future, will contribute to enhancing cooperation, the statement said.
