As France celebrates its National Day, Qatar Today looks at the strong relationship it has with Qatar and the path ahead for the two nations
One of Qatar's leading diplomatic and commercial partners, France is all set to increase its interest and involvement in the country's development.
With France's exports to Qatar touching an all time high of Euro770 million (approximately QR 3465 million) in 2003, the relationship between the two countries grows from strength to strength. The biggest deal yet is that between Airbus and Qatar Airways, which constitutes 80% of the total exports. Airbus had secured an aircraft order worth up to $3 billion (QR 10.95 billion) from Qatar Airways.
The deal will see Qatar buy two Airbus A380s with options for two more, as well as two long-range A340-600s with options for a further eight. Qatar, which already has an all- Airbus fleet of 27 aircraft, has chosen Rolls Royce Trent engines to power the first of the two A340-600s.
The Airbus-Qatar Airways deal is yet another milestone in the growing commercial interests between the two countries. French Minister of Foreign Trade Francois Loos, in his recent visit to Qatar, said that some of the major French companies were expressing interest in local infrastructure development.
He said a number of projects were being considered, including building the causeway linking Qatar-Bahrain and setting up an oxygen producing plant. "There are a number of major French companies, such as Bouygues and Vinci that specialise in construction, Veolia Water System that specialises in water and waste treatment, which are keen to enter the Qatari market.
"Our trade cooperation is quite substantial with the purchase of French Airbus planes by Qatar constituting the major part of our trade volume. All the Qatar Airways planes are from Airbus and further purchases are scheduled for the next seven years," he said.
Francois Loos also asserted that Qatar's promising outlook had encouraged encouraged a number of major French companies to undertake projects in Qatar, especially in the energy sector. With the trade balance between the two countries remaining low, the French minister had called on French companies to take part in bids for projects being offered in the country, especially in the field of infrastructure and environment.
France's imports from Qatar totalled Euro 28 million (QR 126 million) in 2003. Economic and Commercial Consul, French Embassy, Christian Ponsot says that France's imports have been increasing, especially in the energy sector.
"Earlier there were only spot contracts in oil and gas. Now we have long-term deals. Mainly with Total." One of the first Qatar-France business ventures, Total has been present in Qatar since 1935, without interruption. Total E&P Qatar Manager Director Arnaud Chaperon had said that since 1940 when oil was first discovered, in Dukhan, Total has been contributing to the successful development of Qatar's oil, gas and chemical industries.
"Total was one of the founding shareholders of Qatargas, along with Qatar Petroleum. The Dolphin project is also a major development for Qatar and Total - a 25year agreement to supply gas from North Field to UAE."
Ponsot says that the highlight of the association between the two countries is the security agreement that has been in place for a few years now. "We are the main supplier of military and security equipment to Qatar." France will also be involved in the security arrangements for the 2006 Doha Asian Games, a presentation on which will be held at the upcoming Milipol exhibition, a leading international exhibition of law enforcement, security and defence equipment The Milipol exhibition is organised in Paris, since 1983, each odd numbered year and, in Doha, since 1996, each even numbered year. It is one of the biggest joint efforts of Qatar and France.
A great hit in the Middle East, the exhibition addresses the specific interests of the region: security of land and maritime borders; fight against illegal immigration, drug trafficking, contraband; access-control, video surveillance of sensitive sites, debugging and sweeping; equipment for police and special forces; VIP protection; optimum security of sites linked to the exploitation of oil, gas, nuclear power; and protection of people against natural and technological risks.
"Apart from the traditional areas of energy and security/ military, we are also looking at the emerging areas of interest like engineering, architecture and constructions," says Ponston. "We are very interested in the development of the public and private sector and are involved in new library, Islamic museum, the new Doha International Airport and various commercial towers and hotels."
The world famous architect Roger Taillibert, whose work also includes the Parc des Prince Stadium in Paris and Montreal Olympic Stadium in Canada, has designed the recently inaugurated Aspire Sporting Academy buildings in Doha, covered playing fields and the largest sports dome in the world.
French companies are also being urged to participate more actively in the local economy and to set up registered offices in Qatar. "We are working with the Qatar Industrial Development Bank to work on medium-sized companies. To develop partnerships between medium-sized companies in Qatar and France and aid the private sector development."
© Qatar Today 2004
