Thursday, March 28

story of a friendship with a bright future


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The State Visit of the Emir of Qatar, which begins today, represents a historic opportunity to further increase the ties that unite both countries, and that have been narrowing the geographical distance that separates us for years.

I have been a privileged spectator of the transformation of Qatar into a reference country that has been able to convert its natural resources into political and economic leadership at the service of society, embracing modernity without giving up its essence. Anyone who walks along the Corniche today will be able to see how the tradition of Souk Waqif blends naturally with the Doha skyline.

Just two months ago I participated in the Doha Forum, which has already become the main meeting point for dialogue between East and West.

I was a witness there, along with personalities such as John Kerry or Josep Borrellof Qatar’s efforts to build bridges for understanding and stability in the region and around the world.

Our common vision regarding the great challenges facing humanity, such as the creation of a development model that accelerates economic recovery and brings us geopolitical stability without neglecting the fight against climate change or digital transformation, must also be the basis for expanding the already successful cooperation between Qatar and Spain.

At Iberdrola we can attest to this from experience. Almost 20 years ago we undertook a joint project with Qatar, which has only grown in intensity and scope: what began as a mere commercial relationship is today a hub of economic and industrial growth that crosses the borders of our countries.

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In 2010, we built the Mesaieed Power Plant, one of the largest in the Middle East, with an investment of nearly 2 billion dollars

Our relationship dates back to 2005, when we began to acquire gas from this country. Already, in 2010, we built the Mesaieed power plant, one of the largest in the Middle East, with an investment of nearly 2,000 million dollars. And a year later that collaboration became a strategic and lasting partnership that made Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund the company’s largest shareholder thanks to the work of my good friend Ahmad Al Sayed, current president of the successful ‘Free Trade Zones Authority’.

At that time, there were very few of us who defended that decarbonization was a moral obligation with future generations, but also a unique opportunity for industrial development. QIA’s support, far from short-term, has been key to consolidating Iberdrola as a global leader in the energy transition, while generating growth and employment in our environment.

The openness and closeness of its president, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-ThaniDeputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, and its CEO, Mansoor Bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoudhave been essential in continuing to expand our strategic alliance, investing together in the United States -where QIA is the second largest shareholder in Iberdrola’s subsidiary, AVANGRID- or creating the ‘Iberdrola Innovation Middle East’ center in Doha, which is already a World reference center in smart networks, integration of renewable energies and energy efficiency.

This commitment to the future is fully consistent with the ‘National Vision of Qatar 2030’, the strategic plan with which His Highness the Emir is carrying out a profound political, economic and social transformation in the country. One of its bases is, precisely, the opening of the country to international investment through instruments to attract foreign capital such as free trade zones or fiscal policies aimed at promoting innovation.

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I am convinced that the World Cup, which is being held in just six months, and which Qatar has managed to organize in record time despite the pandemic, will be the best setting to show the world the reality of a dynamic, attractive and open country, as it already happened in Spain from the Olympic Games and the Universal Exhibition of 1992.

As in so many cases, the key to success will be cooperation between public and private actors

For all these reasons, the Emir’s visit should make us proud, but it should also make us face the responsibility of building an economic relationship in accordance with the friendship that unites both countries. As in so many cases, the key to success will be cooperation between public and private actors.

It fills me with satisfaction that during the visit the Qatar-Spain Business Council will be officially launched, sponsored by the authorities of both countries, which I have the honor of co-chairing with Sheikh Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, president of Qatar International Islamic Bank.

I know that all the members of the Council are more than willing to build bridges that bring new opportunities to companies of all sizes, especially small and medium-sized ones, through concrete and tangible projects. A philosophy that has guided Iberdrola’s activity for decades and with which we have collaborated in the transformation of companies such as Gamesa, Navantia or Windar to become leaders in wind energy, or in promoting start-ups such as Wallbox.

It is a great honor to receive His Highness the Emir in our country. His visit highlights the strength of our bilateral relationship at a time of profound change in the international context. Now more than ever, it is essential to maintain an intense and fluid strategic dialogue between friendly countries.

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In the more than 20 years that I have been traveling to Qatar, I have always received the warmth of its inhabitants. They have shown me to be a sincere, reliable and honest people. An ally who responds when his loyalty and commitment are at hand. Let’s keep walking together.

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