According to Portuguese officials, during the first half of 2016, the country has nearly doubled
the value of exports to Qatar as compared to the same time period in 2015.
The
drastic increase follows work on both sides to improve trade relations between
the two countries.
Portugal’s
total exports to Qatar amounted to €15.6 million from January to June, according to Arab-Portugal
Chamber of Commerce Secretary General and CEO Dr. Aida Bouabdellah. Imports for
the same time period were at €7.2 million.
While
speaking with the Gulf Times during a meeting with Qatar Chamber officials, Bouabdellah
noted the strengthening relationship.
“We
have very good relations with Qatar,” Bouabdellah said. “Our trade balance has
been improving throughout the years.”
Giving
some history on the trade relationship, Bouabdellah noted that Portugal’s
exports to Qatar in 2015 totaled €17.7 million, which was down slightly from the €19 million reported in 2014.
“Portugal
imported from Qatar around €19.1 million worth of products in 2015 compared with
€16.9 million in 2014,” Bouabdellah, who consulted with seven Portuguese
companies during the meeting, said.
Stone
and plaster, cement and ceramic were the top exports by Portugal to Qatar last
year, making up roughly 20 percent of all exports. Textiles, goods and other
products were the remaining exports.
“Portugal
also exported some base metals and articles such as machinery, electric
materials and other products,” Bouabdellah said. “On the other hand, topping
the list of imports are plastics and others, representing almost 97 percent.
This was followed by textiles and other products.”
In
addition, Portugal specializes in classic industries, textile, shoes, glass,
construction materials, food goods, health sector and others. Bouabdellah said that
Portugal exports €1 billion worth of shoes annually. She also noted that countries
such as Europe, the U.S., Japan and China, as well as internationally recognized
companies, are investing in Portugal.
“I
think there is a common ground between Qatar and Portugal,” Qatar Chamber board member Ali al-Misnad said. “It is important that we learn from each
other and that both countries keep the trade balance at a level that we wish to
increase more and more so, we have to see the best way to encourage that.”
There
are 10 influential Portuguese companies operating in Qatar in the industries of
property management, technology, interior design, marketing, construction,
architecture and engineering, according to Daniel Pontes, economic and
commercial attaché at the Portuguese Embassy in Doha.
