OREANDA-NEWS. November 30, 2010. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to Qatar on the invitation of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

The State of Qatar is a rapidly developing country in the Arab world, with an authority not only in its region, but also in the world. Qatar is among leading Arab states in creation and development of advanced technologies, scientific development and investment activity. Qatar also often hosts large-scale international policy forums and sport events.

Historical, cultural and spiritual closeness of the people of Uzbekistan and Qatar, and common aspirations towards expansion of mutual cooperation are an important basis for the development of bilateral relations. In the context of economic globalization and increased competition on the world markets, the needs for energy, advanced technologies, and expansion of the network of transport corridors are growing. Fr om this perspective, the visit of President Islam Karimov to Qatar has become a timely and important political and economic event.

The official welcoming ceremony of President Uzbekistan was held at the palace of the Emir of Qatar. The national anthems of Uzbekistan and Qatar were played. President of Uzbekistan and the Emir of Qatar walked past the guard of honor.

During the negotiations, the heads of states exchanged views on bilateral relations, expanding economic and trade relations, including transport and communications, humanitarian cooperation, as well as issues of regional and international character.

President Islam Karimov said Uzbekistan and Qatar had a great potential and prospects for development of mutual relations, especially in areas like transport communications, oil and gas, chemical industry, construction, trade, tourism and high technologies. The head of the state stressed that the visit was also important for development of relations between Uzbekistan and the countries of the Persian Gulf and the whole Arab world.

Emir of Qatar said his country was watching the progress made by Uzbekistan with great attention, including modernization of all aspects of state and society. Businesses of Qatar have shown great interest in investment projects in Uzbekistan, including President Islam Karimov’s initiative to create transport corridor Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman-Qatar. Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani gave a high evaluation to the policy pursued by the President of Uzbekistan to strengthen regional security.

It was noted that Uzbekistan and Qatar were working closely within many international bodies such as the UN, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and others.

At the talks of the official delegations, the sides discussed issues of trade, economic and investment cooperation. Uzbekistan and Qatar are making notable progress in natural resources management, economic modernization, introduction of innovative technologies and economic development in general.

Particular attention was given to the initiative of President Islam Karimov on the creation of transport corridor Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman-Qatar. Recently, in Tehran, representatives of Uzbekistan, Iran, Oman, Qatar and Turkmenistan met to discuss the development of transport infrastructure.

Establishment of the railway communication of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with the southern ports of Iran will help create an important connections between the Persian and Oman Gulfs and all the Central Asian countries. Use of road and sea transport for freight transportation, including transit, will increase the volume of trade. Qatar’s participation in the process will help expand investment cooperation in the region.

Free industrial and economic zone Navoi in Uzbekistan may serve as a basis for opening new areas of cooperation, including the development of the above named transport corridor.

Uzbekistan and Qatar have a huge potential for cooperation in oil and gas processing, trade, construction, textile industry and other areas. In particular, in the oil and gas and textile industry there is a huge difference in prices for raw materials and finished products. Joint ventures in these sectors will contribute to the development of mutually beneficial ties. Uzbekistan and Qatar have acquired rich experience in the construction industry, too, the sides said.

The delegations positively evaluated the results of the recent forum of business circles of the two countries held in Doha, which identified areas of bilateral economic and investment cooperation. Event like this help to spread awareness of the economic potential of both countries and provide a good opportunity to further develop mutually beneficial relations.

During the negotiations of the official delegations, issues of humanitarian cooperation, particularly in science, education, healthcare, sport and culture, were also discussed.

Recently, the book by President Islam Karimov “High spirituality is an invincible force”, published in Qatar in Arabic, was presented at Doha University. This was another example of Qatar’s interest to Uzbekistan, its leadership, people and values, and this serves as a solid foundation for the development of humanitarian ties between the two countries.

There is another important factor bringing the two countries together. Today, Uzbekistan and Qatar, according to leading international financial institutions, are included in the five countries whose economies are developing most rapidly.

Following the negotiations, a whole package of documents was signed between the two countries, including the Joint Statement of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State of Qatar, and the Intergovernmental agreement on trade-economic and technical cooperation.

Memoranda of understanding were signed between the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan and the Qatar Holding investment company, and between the national holding company Uzbekneftegaz and state joint-stock company Uzkimyosanoat with Qatar Petroleum International Lim ited.

The trade and industry chambers of Uzbekistan and Qatar inked an agreement to form a joint council of businessmen. A number of other documents were also signed, laying a solid foundation for further partnership in various fields.

In Doha, President of Uzbekistan visited the Museum of Islamic Art, which exhibits ancient artifacts, manuscripts, samples of weapons, arts and crafts from countries of Central Asia, Middle East, India, Spain and others. A special place among the precious historical materials about the period has been allocated to the epoch of Temurids. The President noted that the museum was a testimony of the high respect to the values of Islamic civilization, and left an entry in the book of honored guests of the museum.

President Islam Karimov also visited the modern scientific and educational complex called the Knowledge City in the capital of Qatar. Combining several universities and research centers, the Knowledge City occupies more than 100 hectares. It has a number of branches of foreign universities, including the universities of Georgetown and Virginia (USA). The Knowledge City is a recognized center for science and education throughout the Gulf region.

President Islam Karimov received Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Atiyah. During the talks, the sides exchanged views on further development of economic cooperation between the two countries.

The visit, during which the first high-level meeting of the heads of Uzbekistan and Qatar took place, laid the foundations and opened huge opportunities for development of cooperation between the two countries.