Tuesday, March 06, 2012 -
Qatar and Kyrgyzstan on Monday vowed to open embassies in each other’s countries as part of a strategy to increase business relations.
The deal was made between Kyrgyz Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov and the Qatari emir in the city of Doha during a two-day official visit by the head of Kyrgyzstan’s government to the capital of Qatar.
Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said that his country would foot the bill to open the Kyrgyz Embassy in Doha the Kyrgyz government’s press service said.
Qatar was eager to acquire stakes in Kyrgyzstan’s gold mining companies and to help develop its international air traffic operations, the emir said.
The two sides also discussed potential projects in energy, agriculture, and other commercial areas.
The Qatari emir announced a decision to form a group comprising the minister of economy and finance and other officials, including the chief of Qatar Airways, to develop the investment projects.
The two premiers also talked about setting up a Kyrgyz-Qatari investment fund to finance the bilateral projects.
"We are taking active steps to increase the investment attractiveness of our country and are glad to hear about Qatar’s willingness to invest in the Kyrgyz economy," Babanov said.
The two premiers concluded the talks by inking several documents. They included a memorandum of cooperation on behalf of the Kyrgyz government and Qatar Holding company, a cooperation agreement between their chambers of commerce, and a protocol between their foreign ministries.
Babanov concludes his visit on Tuesday.