BUSINESSB | 14 SPORT | 16 Qatar’s trade Al Sadd's Spanishh volume with star Xavi to retiree ACDA members at at the end of $81bn season Friday 3 May 2019 | 28 Sha'baan 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 24 | Number 7880 | 2 Riyals New Ooredoo tv Google, Android, Android TV, Chromecast and other related marks Your hero for family entertainment and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. Qatar ready to become Amir meets Foreign Minister of Greece networking hub for ACD member states LANI ROSE R DIZON Qatar is one of the percent of the country’s foreign THE PENINSULA founding members of trade. He added that Qatar’s ACD and holds strong growing trade activity was a result Minister of Commerce and of economic openness and Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed Al strategic partnerships diversity in line with the country’s Kuwari said yesterday that Qatar with the member National Vision 2030. was keen to strengthen cooper- countries, said The Minister also highlighted ation among Asia Cooperation Minister of Commerce Qatar’s investment in the private Dialogue (ACD) member coun- sector and added that the gov- tries. The Minister stressed and Industry, H E Ali ernment has expedited all Qatar's readiness to become a bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, measures to support the private networking hub that brings at the opening of ACD sector. This includes upgrading together ACD member states to Business Forum. regulatory frameworks in the promote economic integration investment sector such as the among Asian countries. provision of real estate own- Delivering his remarks at the ership to non-Qataris as well as opening of ACD Business Forum to establish the Union of ACD the opening of free investment held under the theme “SME as Chambers, noting that he looks zones where foreigners can the New Engine of Sustainable forward to assess this initiative export their products. Economic Prosperity,” the Min- during this meeting, which will Al Kuwari reiterated that ister said that the ACD has support joint action and con- Qatar is open to local and foreign gained significant momentum tribute to the achievement of companies to invest in the coun- since its establishment in 2002. economic integration among try’s large scale World Cup- He noted that the organisation Asian countries. related projects and other currently represents over 34 The Minister reiterated that investment opportunities in food Asian countries home to 4.4 Qatar was one of the founding security, health, education, and billion people, accounting for 60 members of ACD and holds strong tourism. The Minister added that percent of the world’s strategic partnerships with the companies investing in Qatar population. member countries. He also said can also take advantage of Qatar Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met yesterday at Amiri Diwan with the Minister of Foreign The Minister said Qatar is Qatar’s trade volume with Asian Airways’ fleet of over 250 air- Affairs of Greece, George Katrougalos, and his accompanying delegation. They reviewed bilateral ready to become a networking countries in 2018 reached $81bn planes which reach over 160 hub among member states and which was equivalent to 70 destinations. `P2 relations and cooperation, as well as regional and international developments of joint interest. US, Taliban hold FM: Qatar and Greece set new round of to enhance economic ties talks in Doha QNA of cooperation between the two to continue implementing major QNA DOHA countries, at a time when eco- infrastructure projects in the DOHA nomic issues are the top prior- main sectors such as education, Deputy Prime Minister and ities of the countries. In this health and transportation, in The State of Qatar hosted a new Minister of Foreign Affairs H E sense, the countries seeking to addition to projects related to round of talks between the Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul- strengthen the role of the private hosting the World Cup 2022. He United States and the Afghan rahman Al Thani said yesterday sector and call for foreign called on the private sector of the Taliban on Wednesday. that Qatar and the Hellenic investment to contribute with its Hellenic Republic to explore the This round of talks is a contin- Republic’s commonalities financial and technical potential many investment opportunities uation of the last two rounds of represent a solid base to enhance in the national economy. Qatar, which will contribute to talks that took place in Doha economic and trade ties. He stressed that Qatar has enhancing economic cooperation between the two parties, which Speaking at the opening of spared no effort in providing the and investments between the two aim to achieve peace and the Qatar-Greece Business required legislative and institu- countries during the next stage. stability in Afghanistan. Forum, His Excellency stressed tional environment, developing The Minister said that the The two parties will discuss Qatar’s commitment to invest in cooperation between the public business and investment envi- the four components of the Greece, expressing hope of and private sectors, providing ronment in Qatar offers great framework agreement, which enhancing bilateral cooperation support to the private sector to advantages to the foreign com- was agreed upon in the last two in the future as Qatar continues increase its role in various eco- panies operating in the country, rounds of talks, which are: with the bid to diversify its nomic sectors, and opening up indicating that Qatar enjoys an foreign troop withdrawal, guar- economy in line with Qatar opportunities for local and advanced position on the antees that will prevent the use National Vision 2030. foreign investments. The Min- business environment indicators of Afghanistan soil by any Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs , H E Sheikh He pointed out that the ister added that Qatar, in the according to the World Compet- groups or individuals against Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, speaking at the opening of meeting of the Qatari-Greek framework of its comprehensive itiveness report of the World Eco- the security of the United States the Qatar-Greece Business Forum in Doha, yesterday. business represents a tributary development renaissance, is keen nomic Forum. `P2 or any other country, intra- afghan dialogue and negotia- tions, and reduction in violence Ramadan timing for leading to a comprehensive Qatar Airways launches incredible Ramadan offers ceasefire. govt schools announced The State of Qatar, which THE PENINSULA/DOHA THE PENINSULA advantage of discounts on share special moments with transport rating organisation, acts as the mediator in this con- DOHA flights to Qatar Airways’ loved ones around the world. Skytrax. It was also named flict, welcomes the current The Ministry of Education and Higher expanding network of more “With Qatar Airways’ ‘Best Business Class Seat’, round of talks between the Education has issued a circular to the Qatar Airways announced than 160 destinations, for growing global network of ‘Best Airline in the Middle United States and the Taliban directors of government schools on new yesterday special fares to mark travel validity until December more than 160 destinations East’, and ‘World’s Best First and considers this round an timing during the forthcoming holy month the Holy Month of Ramadan. 10, 2019. worldwide, as well as our Class Airline Lounge’. important development to of Ramadan. The kindergarten schools will Qatar Airways passengers can Qatar Airways Chief Com- award-winning service and hos- Qatar Airways has launched achieve peace in open from 9am till 12. The schools for the enjoy all-inclusive discounts of mercial Officer Simon Talling- pitality onboard, visits overseas an array of exciting new desti- Afghanistan. students from grade 1 to 12 will open from up to 25 percent in Premium Smith said: “As the holy month have never been more com- nations recently in 2018, Furthermore, the State of 9am to 1pm. The schools will have five Class and up to 35 percent in of Ramadan approaches, we fortable. On behalf of Qatar including Gothenburg, Sweden; Qatar hopes that these rounds periods daily with maximum 40 minutes. Economy Class. Privilege Club understand the importance this Airways, we would like to wish Mombasa, Kenya and Da Nang, of talks will achieve the desired The assembly will be for ten minutes from members can also receive special time holds for many of all our passengers and a blessed Vietnam. The airline will add a results to achieve peace and 9am to 9:10am, first period will be from double Qpoints in Premium our passengers. Ramadan is Ramadan Kareem.” number of new destinations to stability in Afghanistan. 9:10am to 9:50am, second from 9:55am to Class or 50 percent bonus known as the month of sharing, A multiple-award- its extensive route network later Meanwhile, Pakistan and 10:35am and the third period from 10:40am Qpoints in Economy Class. giving and being with one’s winning airline, Qatar this year, including Izmir, the United States have agreed to 11:20am. There will be a 20-minute Create memories with family, and so we are delighted Airways was named ‘World’s Turkey; Rabat, Morocco; Malta; to continue efforts to make the break from 11:20am to 11:40am. The fourth your loved ones and book your to our passengers with our Best Business Class’ by the Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Por- peace process in Afghanistan period will be from 11:40am to 12:20noon tickets on qatarairways.com Ramadan offers and provide 2018 World Airline Awards, tugal; Mogadishu, Somalia and and to enhance bilateral and fifth period from 12:20noon to 1pm. before May 25, 2019 to take them with an opportunity to managed by international air Langkawi, Malaysia. relations. 02 HOME FRIDAY 3 MAY 2019 Deputy PM and FM meets UN Special Coordinator for Middle East peace process Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met yesterday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, George Katrougalos, and his accompanying delegation, who are currently visiting Qatar.