Qatar Seeking to Boost Trade Ties with Iran

Doha is seeking to boost its trade with Tehran in various fields, the Qatari minister said in a meeting with Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari in Tehran on Saturday.

“Foodstuff and construction material have been Qatar's main imported goods from Iran,” he noted, Financial Tribune reported.

He added that Iran is also playing an important role in the transport of goods from Turkey and Azerbaijan to Qatar.

Shariatmadari, for his part, said Iran’s technical and engineering services can help Qatar as the Arab country will be hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Back in August, Doha decided to return its ambassador to Tehran, more than 20 months after he was recalled, and strengthen its ties with Tehran amid a diplomatic rift between Qatar and several other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain.

The Arab countries allied with Saudi Arabia blame Doha for interfering in the domestic affairs of other states and sponsoring terrorism, an accusation Qatar has rejected as “groundless”.

The diplomatic crisis, the worst since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and the subsequent Persian Gulf War, has seen the Arab nations cut ties to Qatar, which hosts a major US military base and will be the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Doha has been receiving fresh food supplies from Iran, which has also allowed Qatar’s national carrier to use its airspace.