Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), signed on March 13, a joint cooperation agreement with Al Sulaiteen Group of Companies, on the sidelines of the 9th Qatar International Agricultural and Environmental Exhibition 2022 held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. 

The agreement lays the framework for developing and promoting cooperation in agricultural research, particularly in the characterization of water quality, agricultural products and wastes, as well as animal product analysis. By virtue of this agreement, the two entities will also cooperate in conducting specialized tests, publishing the outcomes of scientific research and development projects and providing professional consultancy services in the agricultural field. The pact will ultimately result in developing and strengthening fruitful cooperation between QEERI and Al Sulaiteen Group. 

The agreement was signed by Dr. Marc Vermeersch, Executive Director of QEERI, and Mr. Abdullah Bin Salem Al Sulaiteen, Board Chairman of Al Sulaiteen Group of companies. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Yusuf Khalid Al Khulaifi, Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Exhibition, in addition to some directors of Al Sulaiteen Group.

During the ceremony, Dr. Vermeersch expressed his happiness to establish this collaboration with a leading national stakeholder. He said: “The mission of QEERI is centered on providing tangible solutions for the grand challenges facing Qatar in the fields of energy, water and environment. This cooperation agreement with Al Sulaiteen Group of Companies will enable us to support the agricultural sector in the country by using QEERI’s state-of-the-art facilities and utilizing the expertise of our researchers, scientists and engineers.” 

Considering its position as a major national scientific institute, Mr. Abdullah Al Sulaiteen was thrilled about signing the cooperation agreement with QEERI. He stressed his firm and continuous desire as well as his deep interest in developing the agricultural sector in Qatar by using modern scientific tools and equipment. 

Al Sulaiteen called upon the relevant parties to pay more attention to promoting cooperation with the private sector with a view to developing the agricultural sector in Qatar for the good and benefit of all its residents. He emphasized: “This agreement is just a first step towards activating the cooperation in scientific research and training in the agricultural sector. Our region is in dire need of such cooperation due to food scarcity and the heavy reliance on imports.”