Zahid: Positive outcome from Qatar visit
DOHA: The four-day official visit to Qatar by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ended on a positive note and affirmed Malaysia’s strong ties with the country.
Many issues faced by Malaysians residing there were resolved during discussions between Dr Ahmad Zahid and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Khalifa Al Thani.
The cordiality between the two leaders was obvious.
Setting aside protocol Sheikh Abdullah Nasser droved Dr Ahmad Zahid in his own car to Souq Wakif, a popular general market in the city simply for leisure.
Dr Ahmad Zahid shared the experience on his official Facebook account, which included a photograph of the two leaders.
During the visit, the Qatar government agreed to recognise the Malaysian driving licence, exempting holders from having to sit and pass the driving test there. Malaysian tourists to Qatar are also now exempted from having to pay for visas.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said he was satisfied with the outcome and described the visit as “very positive”.
He said Qatar’s government was impressed and had full confidence in the ability of Malaysian companies to help develop their country.
Malaysian companies in Qatar, he said, had performed well and completed projects earlier than scheduled.
Among Malaysian companies with a good reputation in Qatar are WCT Engineering Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
WCT and its partner, a local company, were entrusted with a number of construction projects costing 1.2 billion Qatari riyal (RM1.4bil) for Lusail, a new city here.
The projects included train stations, an underground railway system, generators and information technology facilities as part of Qatar’s preparation to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
MAHB, through its subsidiary Malaysia Airports Consultancy Services Middle East LLC (MACS ME), has obtained a contract extension to provide management service facilities for the Hamad International Airport (HIA) and its annexes.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said both projects proved Malaysia’s ability and competitiveness in the international arena.
He said Malaysian companies would have the opportunity to bid on a Qatar government tender for the construction of an additional terminal at its international airport.
The new terminal is to accommodate the growing number of passengers ahead of the World Cup.
“I have discussed this matter with Qatar’s Transport Minister (Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti) and he is also happy with the performance shown by MACS,” he said.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said Jassim Saif had accepted his invitation to visit Malaysia in May.
To further enhance diplomatic relations between both countries, Dr Ahmad Zahid said, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al-Thani had also agreed to visit Malaysia in October.
This will be followed by a visit by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V to Qatar.