Qatar Chamber and the Portuguese Industrial Association-Chamber of Commerce and Industry have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand trade, investment and direct cooperation between companies in the two countries.The agreement establishes a formal framework for institutional coordination, business development and the exchange of commercial information. It is also intended to support companies seeking to establish branches, identify partners or explore investment opportunities in Qatar and Portugal.
The memorandum was signed during a virtual ceremony by Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansori, Acting General Manager of Qatar Chamber, and Filomena Pina Perez, Director of the Portuguese Industrial Association. The accord follows months of discussions between the two organisations on strengthening links between their business communities.
Cooperation will focus on market research, consultancy services, knowledge exchange and the organisation of business meetings and trade missions. The two organisations will also work to connect companies, circulate information about investment opportunities and encourage partnerships in sectors where commercial interests overlap.
Al Mansori said the memorandum represented an important step towards stronger economic and trade relations between Qatar and Portugal. He said the agreement would improve communication between businesses, facilitate the exchange of information and create a practical mechanism for exploring investment projects.
He also expressed hope that the partnership would help increase bilateral trade and generate new joint ventures. Qatar Chamber has been seeking to broaden the international reach of local companies while attracting foreign businesses that can contribute technology, expertise and capital to the country’s diversification programme.
Pina Perez said the agreement would strengthen cooperation between the two business communities and encourage reciprocal investment. She highlighted interest among Portuguese companies in gaining a clearer understanding of opportunities in Qatar, while calling for Qatari business delegations to visit Portugal, particularly to examine projects in the industrial sector.
The memorandum builds on talks held in Doha in November 2025, when representatives of Qatar Chamber and the Portuguese Industrial Association discussed plans for an institutional agreement. Those discussions covered trade, investment and the role of private companies in developing commercial relations.
Bilateral merchandise trade was valued at QR441 million in 2024. The figure remains modest compared with Qatar’s trade with larger European economies, giving both sides scope to expand commercial flows and diversify the range of goods and services exchanged.
Portugal offers opportunities in industrial manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, food production, technology, construction materials and transport services. Its membership of the European Union also gives companies operating there access to the bloc’s single market and its network of commercial regulations and distribution channels.
Qatar, meanwhile, is promoting investment in logistics, advanced manufacturing, food security, digital services, financial technology, healthcare and infrastructure. The country is using revenues from liquefied natural gas to support economic diversification and reduce dependence on hydrocarbon-related activity.
The agreement comes amid wider government efforts to strengthen economic ties. The Qatari-Portuguese Joint Commission on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation met in Lisbon in October 2025, ending an 11-year gap between sessions.
Officials discussed investment, climate policy, agriculture, transport, communications, tourism, education, culture, sport and information technology. The two governments agreed to hold joint commission meetings every two years and proposed the creation of a joint economic council to support regular institutional and business engagement.
Technical discussions were also held between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Portuguese Development Bank, as well as between Invest Qatar and Portugal’s trade and investment agency. A third joint commission meeting is expected to take place in Doha, although a date has not been announced.
The Chamber agreement gives private companies a direct channel alongside those government discussions. Such institutional links can help businesses overcome practical barriers, including limited market information, unfamiliar regulations and difficulties identifying suitable commercial partners.
Qatar’s investment strategy has placed growing emphasis on attracting companies that can create skilled employment, transfer technology and contribute to export-oriented activity. The country attracted $3.4 billion in foreign direct investment project expenditure across 373 projects in 2025, supporting more than 15,000 jobs.
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