Luxembourg for Finance organised the mission as well as a seminar for around 100 finance professionals in Qatar wherein The Grand Duchy was promoted as a prime financial centre in Europe. The latter event was opened by The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg as well as Minister Pierre Gramegna. The minister also held high-level meetings with Doha Bank and company representatives to discuss possible expansion plans to Europe.
Moreover the mission focused on expanding research on computer security, the use of data centres hosted in Luxembourg as well as the development of Fintech services. The meetings followed an earlier visit on 4 February of Qatari Minister of Information, Technology and Communication, Dr Hessa bint Sultan Al Jaber, to Prime Minister Xavier Bettel at the Hôtel de Bourgogne. Above all the talks were focused on reinforcing cooperation in the areas of satellite technology and data protection in the framework of “Digital Lëtzebuerg”.
The Luxembourgian dignitaries were also welcomed at Qatar Foundation chaired by HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, The Amir of Qatar’s mother. Mr Jassim Telefat, Group Executive Director of Qatar Foundation Capital Projects and Facilities Management, received the delegation to the Visitors’ Centre. The European dignitaries were introduced to the foundation through a comprehensive presentation that described the organisation’s different educational institutes, science and research centres, and community development initiatives. After the presentation, the princely visitors were shown an impressive 3D scale model of the current educational and research buildings.
Other prominent meetings included audiences with His Highness The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim, his deputy since 11 November 2014, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Minister of Economy, HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, The Minister of Finance, HE Mr Ali bin Sherif Al Emadi as well as The Minister of Information, Technology and Communication, HE Dr Hessa bint Sultan Al Jaber.
At the end of the economic mission the Luxembourgian royals were seen off at at Hamad International Airport by HE The Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, his son-in-law, and Ambassador to Belgium, (non-resident) Luxembourg and the EU, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim bin Thani Al Jassim Al Thani as well as Royal Dutch Ambassador to Qatar, Ms Yvette van Eechoud. The Dutch embassy oversees Luxembourgish interests in Qatar as the Grand Duchy has a non-resident ambassador based in Abu Dhabi.
