Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of South Africa H E Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari highlighted the strong African presence of presidents and leaders of major countries and companies, emphasising that this presence affirms Qatar’s keenness of the importance of opening up to the continent, as well as consolidating and deepening the means of cooperation and communication as a way to enhance economic opportunities and develop South-South relations. 

He also stressed Qatar’s vital role in the world in leading the economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In an interview with Qatar Radio, he said Africa was present at the Qatar Economic Forum, given that its approximate population is 1.35 billion, which is 17 percent of the world’s population, and its domestic product is $3.4 trillion, pointing out that the Forum discussed the future of vaccines in Africa and the effects of the pandemic on the economic conditions and democratic gains on the African continent.

Ambassidor highlighted the participation of  President of the Republic of South Africa H E Cyril Ramaphosa in the Forum, expressing that it represents a response to the efforts between Qatar and South Africa, as well as the enhancement of bilateral relations that have gained a lot of momentum in the past years, pointing out South Africa’s desire to raise the level of cooperation and crystallise many agreements. 

There are 24 bilateral agreements in the process of being signed between the two friendly countries, he added, noting the Qatari Embassy’s coordination with South Africa to hold the next round of political consultations between the two countries. 

Al Ansari said that Qatar and South Africa have common visions on many regional and international issues, explaining that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached $3bn in the past year, adding that the establishment of a joint business council between the two countries is underway.