Qatar-Russia Trade Doubles: Envoy

The volume of trade between Russia and Qatar has doubled in 2009, which is around US$30 million, compared to around US$15 million the previous year. “Our trade relations with Qatar may not be that high, but the economic cooperation between two countries is strong… in the future, we may be able to increase our trade relations where we can maybe export here food stuff, like poultry,” said Russian Ambassador to Qatar, Vladimir Titorenko.

Titorenko said the volume of trade between the two countries is not really a big problem as both Qatar and Russia are producers of oil and gas. “Our industry is very much similar to Qatar… so we do not purchase gas from Qatar and Qatar doesn’t buy oil and gas from us.” Russia, however, purchases dates from Qatar. “Many Russians like dates and we import dates from here.” Qatar imports trucks from Russia, as well as machinery, auto products, and some cement, metal and materials for the construction industry.

The Russian Ambassador said there will be some delegations from Russia who are experts in economics, water resources, telecommunications, and the oil and gas industry, who will be visiting Qatar. - Peninsula