Qatar Eyeing Iran’s Telecommunication Helps in 2020 FIFA World Cup

Al Sulaiti attended the 25th Iran International Electronic, Computer & E-Commerce Exhibition (ELECOMP) on Thursday alongside counterparts from Iraq, Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, where he expressed Doha’s interest in broadening IT cooperation with Tehran.

"I had attended ELECOMP exhibition in 2014, but today I see many changes and I am glad to see startup companies at the exhibition. The areas of cooperation between Iran and Qatar include oil, gas, energy and food sectors, and we would like to expand relations in communication technology. In our turn, we invited our Iranian partners to the exhibition the be held in late October in Qatar," he added.

"In regards to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, I can say that Qatar is expanding infrastructures for the event. I have seen many companies in the exhibition, which can help us. Cooperation in the field of ICT is very important. We face similar challenges and have similar plans for smart cities. There are relations at the governmental level, but we need to develop cooperation between private companies," he said.

At a press conference during 25th ELECOMP exhibition, Iraqi Deputy Minister of Communications has commented on CT and electronic trade prospects with Iraq and other countries and spoke about Iran's participation in Iraq's mobile programs.

"We open the door for cooperation with Iran, we have ties with Jordan and want to expand cooperation with other neighboring countries, as Iraq conducts open door policy. We are just at the beginning of the IT road and need a lot of help to make the progress," said the Iraqi official.

In total, representatives of 800 companies from 40 countries are participating in the ELECOMP exhibition.

Earlier in this month, Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a meeting with Governor General of Iran’s Southern Province of Fars Enayatollah Rahimi, voiced his country’s readiness and eagerness to take advantage of Iran’s facilities for holding the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking in a meeting with Rahimi, Khalifa Al Thani said Qatar is also ready to prepare facilities for Iranian businessmen and to establish cooperation on cultural issues.

He also hailed establishing joint committee for following up issues related to agreements between Qatar and Fars province.

Qatar is ready to use Iranian contractors and experts in its projects, he noted.

Meanwhile, Rahimi referred to joint historical and cultural and religious relations between Iran and Qatar and called for facilitating visa issuance for Iranian businessmen.

Iran is willing to maintain suitable and friendly relations with neighboring countries; namely Qatar.

He went on to say that developing cultural and economic relations will reinforce regional security.

Iran has always complied with its international commitments, he reiterated.

Rahimi said that Fars Province is ready to host 2022 World Cup tourists.

During the meeting both sides agreed to increase Qatari airlines’ flights to Shiraz and Lar and vice versa.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men's football championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It is scheduled to take place in Qatar in 2022.

Last June, former Governor-General of Fars province Esmayeel Tabadar announced his country's preparedness to assist Qatar to host tourists and players in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

"Given its short distance from Doha, Fars province is ready to cooperate with Qatar in area of tourism and accommodation in hotels to help the country host the World Cup," Tabadar said in a meeting with Qatari Ambassador to Tehran Ali Bin Hamad al-Sulaiti in Shiraz on June 19, 2018.