The relations between the State of Qatar and Ukraine are increasingly solid and become more active from time to time as this year the two countries celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and Ukraine.

The year 2017 witnessed the increase of the commercial exchange volume in comparison with the year 2016. Moreover, in August 2017 within the framework of reducing the distance between the two counties Qatar Airways company launched a new flight between the capital of Ukraine – Kyiv and the capital of the State of Qatar – Doha.

In 2017 the State of Qatar provided the citizens of Ukraine wishing to visit the State of Qatar with big facilities through visa cancellation. As for Ukraine, in April 2017 it also provided the citizens of the State of Qatar wishing to visit Ukraine big facilities so that they can get an entry visa directly at the airport in the Ukrainian capital – Kyiv.

Commercial exchange

In 2016 the volume of the commercial exchange between the State of Qatar and Ukraine reached nearly 210 million Qatari riyals equivalent to nearly 57.5 million dollars rising from 172.5 Qatari riyals (2015).

The number of agreements

The State of Qatar has signed 7 agreements with Ukraine.

There are 13 agreements between the State of Qatar and Ukraine being under consideration (3 of them are ready to be signed).

Economic cooperation

Export:

In 2016 the value of Qatari exports to Ukraine reached nearly 95.9 million Qatari riyals equivalent to 26.3 million dollars.

The most important exports to Ukraine are:

- petrochemical products and ethylene polymers;

- halogen derivatives and hydrocarbons.

Import:

In 2016 the value of Qatari imports from Ukraine reached nearly 114 million Qatari riyals equivalent to 31.2 million dollars.

The most important imports from Ukraine are:

- food products, manufactured animal products, fish and crustaceans;

- phosphate, wood and products of wood, iron and steel products, iron and steel rods;

- furniture and textile;

- tubes and pipes.

Joint commissions

There is a draft agreement on the establishment of Joint Committee for economic and technical cooperation being ready to be signed by the Qatari Side.

Agreements:

1. Memorandum of understanding between the Qatari Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Commerce and Industry;

2. Memorandum of understanding in energy policy between Ministry of Energy and Coal Mining of Ukraine and Ministry of Energy and Industry of the State of Qatar – Energy Policy;

3. Memorandum of understanding in the field of education – Education;

4. Air Service Agreement – the field of Air Service;

5. Memorandum of understanding for information cooperation between Qatar News Agency and Ukrainian news Agency – the field of Information;

6. Memorandum of understanding between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine – Politics;

7. Visa waiver Agreement for Diplomatic and Special Passports holders.

Under consideration:

1. Draft Agreement on Military and Technical Cooperation;

2. Memorandum of understanding on Cooperation in the field of Health;

3. Agreement on Cultural Cooperation;

4. Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of organization of exhibitions;

5. Draft Agreement on mutual recognition of Certificates of Higher Education;

6. Draft Agreement on the establishment of the Business Council;

7. Draft Agreement on cooperation in in science and technology;

8. Memorandum of understanding between Qatar Olympic Committee and National Olympic Committee of Ukraine in the field of sport;

9. Draft Agreement with International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol);

10. Memorandum of understanding for tourism cooperation – Tourism;

11. Memorandum of understanding between Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine and Qatar Diplomatic Institute.

Agreements ready to be signed:

1. Draft Agreement on promotion and protection of the reciprocal investments;

2. Draft Agreement on the establishment of Joint Committee for economic, technical and commercial cooperation;

3. Draft Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of Ukraine.