Qatar mulls importing rice from Uruguay

Qatar is taking a closer look at importing rice and livestock from Uruguay, whose President, Dr Tabare Vazquez, is here on a visit accompanied by a trade delegation. Members of the delegation yesterday met representatives of the local trade and industry at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and discussed means of cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries.

Rice, according to the visitors, is produced in their country in the natural way and Iran in this region is one of its biggest importers. The two sides also discussed the possibility of closer cooperation in Uruguay's fast-expanding tourism industry with some Qatari businessmen enquiring about foreign investment laws there.

There is a huge inflow of foreign investment into the tourism sector, especially from the US, Mexico and Europe, the QCCI was told. Foreign investment laws in Uruguay are liberal and provide tax holidays to investors, aside from protecting their stakes.