Latest news with #cooperation
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Trade volume with Saudi Arabia up 65% to $1.34bln: Qatar Chamber
Doha: Qatar Chamber revealed that trade volume between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia saw a 65 percent increase YoY in 2024, reaching QR 4.9 billion in 2024, compared to QR 2.97 billion in 2023. This came in a speech delivered by the Chamber's Second Vice President Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba, during his meeting today with a delegation from the Al-Ahsa Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, headed by its Chairman, Mohamed bin Abdulaziz Al Afaleq. The meeting explored ways to enhance cooperation between the two chambers, aiming to strengthen collaboration between the private sectors of both countries, particularly in Al-Ahsa. Addressing the meeting, HE Al Athba affirmed the Qatar Chamber's keenness to strengthen cooperation between the business sectors of the two brotherly countries. He emphasized the importance of enhancing partnerships between Qatari and Saudi businessmen, exploring available investment opportunities, particularly in the Al-Ahsa, and examining the potential for establishing joint ventures that contribute to boosting bilateral trade and achieving sustainable economic development. He underscored the strong and deeply rooted relations both countries, noting that economic and trade ties are witnessing continuous growth, especially under the wise guidance of both leaderships and their shared commitment to fostering cooperation in all fields, particularly in economic and investment areas. He also urged Qatari and Saudi investors and companies to explore investment opportunities in both markets, with a particular focus on value-added sectors that support sustainable economic development in line with the National Vision 2030 of both countries. Al-Athba reaffirmed the Qatar Chamber's support for all initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two chambers, expressing hope for increased coordination and joint efforts to better serve the business communities in both countries. For his part, Mohamed Al-Afaleq, Chairman of the Al-Ahsa Chamber, underscored the deep-rooted fraternal and historical relations between the two brotherly nations, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts by the private sectors in both countries to achieve economic integration. He affirmed the Al-Ahsa Chamber's keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Qatar Chamber and to work collaboratively to deepen ties between the business communities in Qatar and Al-Ahsa, while encouraging investors to explore mutual investment opportunities. He also commended the Qatari-Saudi Joint Business Council for its pivotal role in enhancing cooperation between the private sectors of both countries. Al-Afaleq invited the Qatar Chamber to organize a business visit for Qatari businessmen to Al-Ahsa to explore the promising investment opportunities available in the Al-Ahsa Oasis. The meeting also featured a presentation on the investment climate and opportunities in Qatar, followed by bilateral meetings between Qatari and Saudi businessmen, during which the potential for establishing trade alliances in both Qatar and the Al-Ahsa was discussed. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Parliament went from a combative fall to a fruitful spring. Will it last?
The House of Commons spring sitting saw co-operation between the Liberals and Conservatives to pass some key pieces of legislation in the span of a month — a drastic change in tone from where things were left in December. MPs wrapped up the parliamentary sitting last week with a vote on the Liberals' major projects legislation. Bill C-5 passed with support from the Conservatives who had also supported a promised income tax cut just a few weeks earlier. After C-5 was passed, Prime Minister Mark Carney walked over to the Conservative benches and shook hands with a number of their MPs. The bill is now in front of the Senate for consideration. That co-operative spirit was far from how the House was functioning — or, rather, not functioning — last fall. Before the winter break, the House had been gridlocked as parties blamed each other for tying Parliament up in a privilege debate since late September. Almost no legislation was passed, though MPs took breaks from the debate to push through some spending measures and enact a federal sales tax holiday. WATCH | Liberals and Conservatives vote together on C-5: It wasn't clear how the gridlock would end until Parliament was prorogued as Justin Trudeau announced he would be resigning, and an election was called shortly after Carney took office. On election night — which saw the House largely divided between the Liberals and Conservatives — the parties signalled that they would look to work together. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre signalled on the first day of the spring sitting that his party would take a pragmatic approach. "The question we always ask is, 'Is the proposal better than the status quo?' If it is, then we support it. If it's not, then we oppose it," he told reporters. WATCH | Poilievre says he'll support major projects bill: But the Conservatives have also said the Liberal measures they've supported don't go far enough. For example, they promised during the campaign a larger tax cut than what the Liberals put forward. On Friday after supporting C-5, Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer — who is acting as Official Opposition leader until Poilievre can regain a seat — said the bill didn't go far enough and called on the government to roll back regulations. "The Liberals certainly shouldn't be giving themselves a gold star," Scheer told reporters on Parliament Hill. He said C-5 "really just gives [the government] the ability to get around their own barriers." There were still conflicts between the Conservatives and Liberals. For example, the Conservatives heavily criticized the governing party for not tabling a spring budget. But C-5's time in committee shows how the temperature has been taken down a touch compared to committee meetings in the fall. A number of ministers appeared at the House transport committee last week. Conservative MP Philip Lawrence kicked off the first round of questions with a joke that the ministers "can smile here." And Liberals on the committee voted for some Conservative amendments that were later adopted in the House. The rapid adoption of Bill C-5 also spelled out how the other parties can be sidelined if the Liberals and Conservatives are in agreement. The Liberals were able to form government again largely by picking up seats from the Bloc and a few from the NDP. The Conservatives increased their seat count largely by taking seats away from the Liberals and NDP. The Bloc Québécois returned to the House with a smaller caucus and the NDP lost official party status. Both opposed the major projects legislation. The Liberals and Conservatives voted together to force "closure" on the bill, limiting the amount of time it would be debated. The two main parties were also able to quickly shoot down amendments from smaller parties. The Bloc and NDP could still hold some leverage if they want to co-operate with the Liberals — who are just a few seats shy of a majority — on policies the Conservatives oppose. But the spring sitting saw how the NDP could face some difficulties without recognized status. New Democrats said they would vote against the Liberals' throne speech. It's typically considered a confidence vote, meaning the government would fall if it lost. That speech passed "on division" without a recorded vote. The NDP would have requested a standing vote, but were unable to because only recognized parties can make such a request. "New Democrats said we're going to vote against it," NDP Interim Leader Don Davies told reporters a few days after the throne speech passed. "The other parties deprived us of that opportunity." The NDP also can no longer sit on committees. This doesn't entirely prevent their MPs from participating at committee meetings, as NDP MP Leah Gazan did during the C-5 study. But committee members needed to give their unanimous consent for Gazan to ask questions, and the NDP would need to get permission again to keep participating. The House has risen for the summer and MPs will be back in their ridings until September. As they make their rounds on the barbecue circuit, MPs could very well be hearing from constituents about the tone shift of the spring sitting. The Liberals have promised to table a budget in October which — because it will be a confidence vote — will be the next big test for how well the new Parliament can function.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
HM The Sultan receives phone call from Austrian Chancellor
Muscat - His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik today received a phone call from Christian Stocker, Chancellor of the Republic of Austria. During the telephonic conversation, His Majesty the Sultan and the Austrian Chancellor reviewed the sound relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Austria. They discussed ways to develop areas of cooperation and partnership in various sectors in a manner that achieves the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries. His Majesty the Sultan and the Austrian Chancellor also commended the decision of ceasefire between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, deemed a measure to protect the security and stability of the region. They also stressed the importance of consolidating dialogue, resolving disputes through peaceful means and wisdom, and according priority to the supreme interests of countries and peoples.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Iran MPs' vote to suspend IAEA cooperation is 'wrong signal': Berlin
Germany on Thursday urged Iran to keep cooperating with the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, calling a vote by Iranian lawmakers calling for a suspension of cooperation "a totally wrong signal." Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a press conference that Germany "urges the Iranian government not to go down this path." AFP
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China-EU relations: rare earths, Taiwan discussed in Wang Yi's visit to embassy
China and the European Union should enhance mutual trust and stick to cooperation to elevate their ties to 'a new level', Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday amid widening trade tensions. Advertisement In a meeting with EU diplomatic envoys in Beijing, Wang said that China and the EU 'have both the responsibility and capability to provide much-needed stability and predictability to a world fraught with turbulence', according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout. 'Both sides should enhance mutual trust, properly manage differences, pool strengths, and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level,' Wang said. The remarks were made during a gathering at the Polish embassy, before Poland's rotating presidency of the European Union comes to an end this month and ahead of the two-day China-EU summit in late July. EU leaders will travel to China for the summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties. It will be the second successive EU-China summit in the Chinese capital, despite convention dictating that the location rotates. Advertisement This month, China and the EU agreed to hold a new round of trade talks to pave the way for the high-level leaders' summit, with the two sides in deep dispute over market access, rare earths and electric cars.
