Food Security a top priority in Qatar

Sri Lankan businesses are needed in Qatar to set up food processing companies as food security is one of the main concerns there, according to Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Bank Dr. R. Seetharaman.

He was speaking at a media conference held at Shangri- La Hotel, Colombo last week on bilateral trade opportunities that exist between Doha and Sri Lanka.

“We want to bring Qatari investors to Sri Lanka to set up joint ventures with Sri Lankan businesses on the advice of the Emir of Qatar. We want the Gulf sovereign funds come in to Sri Lanka.”

He said where maritime and gas distribution business is concerned they want to bring in businesses from Qatar to promote joint ventures with Sri Lankan companies. “Qatar is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the world and we are looking at possibilities of a joint partnership with Sri Lankan company.”

He said the purpose of their visit to Sri Lanka is to promote bi-lateral trade between Sri Lanka and Doha apart from the human capital that Sri Lankan expatriates had contributed in developing Qatar.

He said remittances from Sri Lankan expatriates in Qatar amounted to around US$500 million with over 140,000 Sri Lankan expatriates employed there.

“We were the first Gulf banks to come to Sri Lanka and the Doha Bank is one of the largest banks in the world with several bank networks in the world. There are around 30 branches in Qatar. We also want to extend credit facilities to Sri Lankan banks.”

Sri Lankan Ambassador for Qatar, A.S.P. Liyanage said Doha Bank is the flagship bank of the Qatar state. “The Doha Bank’s Representative office was opened in Colombo this week and in a short span of time will serve Sri Lankans. “

Sri Lanka’s exports to Qatar include bananas, tea, vegetables and food preparations.