Doha, January 29 (MIA) - President Branko Crvenkovski, who completes Tuesday the stay in Qatar, paid a visit to the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, as well as the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Investment Authority, MIA reports from Doha.
President Crvenkovski told Qatar businessmen that now is the right time for investments in Macedonia, taking into account the country is a candidate for EU membership, adding that the company investing in Macedonia can be sure that it invests in the future single European market.
"What we promote must be guarantied. We must not allow giving promises that cannot be kept, because this is the easiest way to lose a potential investor. The chance is here, the opportunity awaits, and I hope we will use it", said President Crvenkovski.
He informed Qatar businessmen on Macedonia's tax policy, saying it is most favorable in Europe and beyond. Moreover, Crvenkovski presented other important sectors, such as energy, tourism and agriculture.
"We also tried to affirm the possibilities of our economy in the opposite direction, before all in the construction sector. Considering that Qatar is a big construction site, and according to their projections about US$ 20-30 billion will be invested in infrastructure in the next 5-6 years, this is an opportunity for participation of Macedonian construction companies", added Crvenkovski.
Director of Investment Authority Ali al-Abdullah promised the Macedonian President that a group of Qatar businessmen would pay a visit to Macedonia in March or April, in order to see the possibilities for investments, especially in agriculture and cattle breeding.
President Crvenkovski also met with Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammad Al Thani, who emphasized that good business holds two prerequisites - political stability and healthy investment strategy.
Crvenkovski met Monday with Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who was acquainted with the possibilities and latest measures of the Macedonian Government for attraction of foreign direct investments, adding that the country's tax policy is most favorable in the region. Emir Al-Thani stressed that Qatar is interested in cooperation with Macedonia, especially in the fields of agriculture, energy, tourism and gas.
Macedonia and Qatar established diplomatic relations on June 1996. Qatar recognises Macedonia under its constitutional name.
Foreign trade exchange between Macedonia and Qatar in 2006 amounted US$6.750.000 mainly from Macedonian export of raw materials, iron, steel and other constructions.
Legal framework for the economic-trade cooperation between the two countries was established by signing an agreement for economic and trade cooperation on March 2005.
State of Qatar, independent emirate on a largely barren peninsula in the Persian Gulf, bordering Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues.