Al -Jazeera Net Correspondents
Moscow – The Russian capital, Moscow, is witnessing today, Thursday, the Russian Qatar Business Forum, in conjunction with an official visit to the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and expanding the areas of partnership between the two countries in a number of vital sectors.
The forum, organized by the Qatari Ministry of Trade and Industry and its Russian counterpart, in cooperation with the “Ross Congress” Foundation, is a strategic platform to discuss the prospects for bilateral cooperation, and to explore new opportunities in the fields of trade, investment, infrastructure and technology, amid a wide participation of officials of the two countries and businessmen.
This event comes at a time when economic relations between Doha and Moscow are heading to new levels of coordination, in light of a common desire to diversify partnerships and expand the base of mutual interests, especially in light of international geopolitical and economic variables.
His Highness the Emir upon his arrival in the capital, Moscow, on an official visit to #Russia Friendly federal#Qena #Qatar pic.twitter.com/5geeozrmm
– The Qatar News Agency (@qatarnwsagency) April 17, 2025
Forum axes from energy to technology
The forum, which includes three main discussion episodes, focuses on developing cooperation in various sectors that include health care, pharmaceutical industries, tourism, logistics services, as well as emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, information technologies, and the development of energy and transportation infrastructure.
Through these episodes, the organizers seek to offer qualitative initiatives, overcoming commercial barriers, and opening new markets for Qatari and Russian companies, as well as strengthening direct communication channels between the business community in the two countries.
The economic dialogue is also expected to be completed through Qatari participation in major activities organized by Russia, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the “Russia and the Islamic World” forum, and the Russian energy week.
A growing strategic partnership
The participation of a high -level Qatari economic delegation in the official visit to the Emir of Qatar confirms the great interest that Doha attaches to strengthening its economic relations with Moscow, especially in light of the development of the volume of trade exchange, and the continuation of joint projects despite the global challenges, such as the Koruna and the Russian war.
The macroeconomic researcher, Igor Plenekin, notes that the Russian Qatari partnership is witnessing an accelerated development, confirming to Al -Jazeera Net that the convening of the forum in this “positive environment” would provide a vital platform to activate investment partnerships and enhance economic understandings.
Plinken notes that Qatar occupies an advanced position among Russia’s economic partners in the Gulf region, stressing the importance of developing qualitative indicators of cooperation, as well as expanding the existing joint projects.
#Qena_Nphographic |
Russian expert in Middle East affairs #QenaHis Highness the Emir’s visit to #Russia An important page and a new stage in relations between the two countries#Qatar pic.twitter.com/ari3alwiul– The Qatar News Agency (@qatarnwsagency) April 17, 2025
Mutual investments and specific agreements
According to economic experts, Qatar is considered one of the most prominent investors in the Russian economy at the level of sovereign wealth funds. In recent years, the Qatar Investment Authority has pumped strategic investments in different sectors, including:
- Owning 2.95% of the Russian “TP” capital (2013).
- Accepted 24.99% of Polkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg (2016).
- Buy 25% of the “Westerin Hi Speed Diarter” project (2021).
The researcher in the international economy, Slavat Yossobov, confirms to Al -Jazeera Net that the new stage of bilateral cooperation will exceed traditional sectors, to include projects in renewable energy, electricity engineering, and training specialized technical cadres, as well as developing partnerships in financing, research and engineering design institutions.
Youssobov believes that the visa -exemption agreement between the two countries, which entered into force in February 2020, contributed to promoting tourism and economic exchange, as Qatar received more than 100,000 Russian tourists in 2024, while Russia visited about 11 thousand Qatari citizens in the same year.
Despite the effects of the Ukrainian crisis, which prompted Doha to freeze the expansion of its investments in the Russian market temporarily, experts expect that possible political breakthroughs will contribute to the restoration of investment momentum, especially in light of the Russian desire to enhance its relations with its non -Western partners.
Observers confirm that the confidence -based dialogue between Qatar and Russia, and the mutual interest in expanding economic relations, constitutes a solid ground for building more diverse and sustainable partnerships in the near future.
