site.btaBulgarian Regional Development Minister Attends Inauguration of Hamad Port in Qatar

Doha/Sofia, September 5 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Regional Development and Public Works Minister Nikolai Nankov visited Qatar on Tuesday. He was among the official guests at the inauguration of Hamad Port. The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who personally attended the event, Nankov's ministry reported.

While in Qatar, the Bulgarian Regional Development Minister met with the Minister of Municipality and Environment, Mohammed Al-Rumaihi. The guest underscored the great importance which Bulgaria attaches to its cooperation and excellent friendly relations with Qatar. For his part, Al-Rumaihi said Qatar could hire Bulgarian construction experts for infrastructure projects. He also said that his country is interested in importing farm products from Bulgaria.

The sides agreed that the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry in Sofia will organize a visit by Bulgarian town mayors to Qatar to exchange expertise and establish contacts in view of the future implementation of joint projects.

Nankov also talked with Akbar al-Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways. The two expressed their shared satisfaction with the operation of the direct air service between Sofia and Doha.

* * *

The opening of Hamad Port is part of a wider plan to increase Qatar's non-petroleum exports in order to boost the country's manufacturing industries. It is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Qatar and one of the largest in the Middle East. Hamad Port will have an annual capacity of 7.5 million shipping containers and separate terminals dedicated to general cargo, cereals, vehicles and livestock. Located in the town of Mesaieed, the port is the largest of its kind in the Middle East with the capacity to receive all types of ships and vessels. It is expected to be fully operational by 2020, when it will cover around 20 sq km.