India, Qatar host JWG trade meeting, identify potential sectors for cooperation

India and Qatar held a Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting and reviewed recent developments in bilateral trade and economic cooperation, concluding that the relations have great potential for further strengthening.

An Indian delegation comprising officials from the Department of Commerce and other ministries and organisations held a Joint Working Group meeting with the Qatari side in Doha on July 10, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Friday.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the progress of talks on food safety agreements and cooperation on pre-arrival information exchange to facilitate trade and customs control of goods, and agreed to conclude them expeditiously.

It was also agreed that all issues hampering bilateral trade would be resolved promptly and the promotion of trade between the two countries would be facilitated.

In addition, both sides discussed a possible mechanism for launching a Joint Business Council, which could fulfil its role in monitoring and implementing the private sector’s vision and proposals for trade and investment cooperation.

The Joint Working Group meeting was co-chaired by Priya P Nair, Economic Advisor to the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Saleh Al-Mana, Director of International Cooperation and Trade Agreements, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of Qatar.

Both countries identified several areas that require special attention to strengthen bilateral trade as well as mutually beneficial cooperation sectors.

These include, among others, gemstones and jewellery, cooperation with customs authorities, trade in local currency, pharmaceutical products, food processing and food safety, cooperation in the field of SMEs.

It is worth noting that bilateral trade between India and Qatar during 2023-2024 stood at USD 14.08 billion and India is Qatar’s second largest trading partner.

Both sides agreed that the next meeting of the WWG will be held next year in New Delhi.