I welcome you all and express my pleasure for hosting this Conference in Qatar which is considered the most important LNG Conference in the world. The choosing of the State of Qatar by the Organizing Committee to host it does, undoubtedly, confirm Qatar’s status in the industry of natural gas and its derivatives.

      I hope that the convening of this Conference in Doha provides the opportunity for the exchange of expertise and getting acquainted with the latest technologies available in the natural gas liquefaction and transportation processes, which would lead to the reduction of the costs of production, shipping and offloading. Your conference is attended by outstanding experts in the field of natural gas, who represent governmental institutions, companies, individuals, research centers and media from all parts of the world.

      We in Qatar are proceeding with industrial development according to a well-advised strategy and realistic planning on the basis of which we choose the kind of projects we establish and the international companies that join us in establishing them, while carefully studying the needs of the world market and excellent quality of production. In this, we depend on the natural resources bestowed by God upon this country, where we presume to have the second largest natural gas reserve in the world, and use the latest technologies in the gas industry that are available to our international partners. The best proof of this is the existing plants in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Industrial cities, which I hope you would visit during the conference days.

      The world demand on LNG reflects the growing importance of this industry worldwide. It assures us even more of the right decisions we took in Qatar a decade ago to proceed with investment in this industry, where you participate today in its conference to find ways of developing and upgrading it as being one of the important solutions for providing alternative sources of energy at a lower cost as well as more advanced means of transportation and better protection of the environment which we place among the priorities when studying any project presented to us.

      The development of the gas sector and the realization of optimum utilization of our natural resources are among our most important national goals, where they constitute two major factors in the process of economic development in our country. This can be clearly seen in Ras Laffan industrial city in the two LNG projects, namely Qatar Gas Company and Ras Gas, where the volume of LNG produced by those two plants is increasing considerably, which will make Qatar in the coming few years the largest exporter of liquefied gas in the world.

      This goes hand in hand with the expansion and modernization which we will introduce into the facilities of the port of Ras Laffan city so that its LNG exporting capabilities cope with the quantities produced. Moreover, Qatar Petroleum entered into projects for owning of ultra large natural gas tankers, and participated in the development of reception terminals in the consumer markets, which facilitate the process of LNG marketing and selling by removing the obstacles facing this industry.

      To protect the rights of international investors who put their trust in our economy, and improve the investment climate favorable for the private and public sectors, we enacted the legislation and laws that protect the rights of all investors. We also provided various financial incentives to attract more investments, specially in the medium and small projects.

      The government is currently making all possible efforts to develop the infrastructure by setting up the supporting facilities for major projects such as improved national and international road networks, expansion of sea ports, expansion of Doha International Airport, and building new water and electric power plants.

      TAs a result of these efforts, Qatar witnessed in the last few years an industrial and economic progress which was positively reflected on the Qatari economy in all its aspects, particularly in the field of investment. The State of Qatar became an example of excellent trade cooperation resting on fair bases that respect the legitimate requirements of all parties.

      In our quest to diversify the sources of income and realize optimum utilization of the country’s natural resources, our efforts were not confined to LNG alone; the State of Qatar, as represented by Qatar Petroleum, entered into joint ventures for the advanced technology of gas-to-liquids. The cornerstone of the first project of its kind in the Middle East has been laid. It will be followed by several projects with major international companies, most of which are participants in this conference.

      In the regional sphere, we drew an integrated plan to provide the sisterly countries with gas by pipelines, and started with the Dolphin Gas Project with the United Arab Emirates, which marks a qualitative addition to the Gulf economic integration. We also use gas as a feed in several petro-chemical projects in Mesaieed industrial city, beside using it in the generation of power.

      Here, I would like to affirm Qatar’s pledge to carry on with the process of continuous development of the gas industry, and do whatever is necessary to realize that development and meet the legitimate requirements of investors and consumers of natural gas. We are ready to consider and listen to viable ideas without any hesitation.

      Amidst these projects, the environment and its protection and preservation remain a major factor in all projects that are established in the country. Our government has laid strict conditions for commitment to the national environmental standards and legislation, and international protocols and conventions. Rules have been set for environmental control and provision of data in all areas of operations.

Honourable Audience,

      We are confident that your working papers and deliberations will contribute to supporting and developing the natural gas industry.

      Finally, I wish you all success in your tasks and hope that you have a pleasant stay in Qatar and a safe return home.

      I thank you for your attendance and wish you and your conference all success.

May the peace, the mercy and blessings of God be upon you.