Doha: Executing the idea of funding for startups is a great way to move forward as it develops innovation and technology, said an official.
Speaking to The Peninsula in an interview, Ambassador of Spain to Qatar H E Javier Carbajosa Sanchez said that the idea of providing funds for startups and aspiring entrepreneurs enables them to create the latest innovations and technologies.
In a recently held event at the Park Hyatt Doha, Qatar Spain Innovation Programme (QASIP) was launched to promote Spanish and Qatari firms in both countries in various realms including research and development (R&D) projects.
Ambassador Sanchez said: “This is the first time that Qatar and Spain launches something of this nature together. In fact, it is the first time Qatar launches an innovative initiative of this nature and I think that comes a long way.”
Initiated by the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council and the Spanish Center for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI), QASIP will be awarding the finalists with numerous funding opportunities in both countries. “CDTI and QRDI have been working for some time. So we have two funding agencies that will fund for research and economics,” he said.
As the application portal continues to unfold inviting several eligible entities and individuals from Qatar and Spain, he remarked that it opens doors to partner with companies from both regions resulting in a beneficial resolution.
He said: “I think that Qatar has understood that this is the beginning of a main year. Qatar is a very wealthy country and has built massive infrastructures and now they understand that they have to add a new layer in vision and technology to these initiatives. In Spain also we feel the same way”
The envoy also outlined the initiatives implemented by the authorities in the country and the positive impacts taking place.
Stressing the five-long decades of diplomatic and multilateral ties between Qatar and Spain, Ambassador Sanchez said that “Relationships between Qatar and Spain are very excellent. They are more than 50 years since we decided to establish diplomatic relations.”
Commenting on augmenting roles played to elevate the rank of both country’s relations, Ambassador Sanchez said “Now we have a strategic partnership and we’re going to deepen and built our relationships.”
“From a friendly point of view, I think Qatar and the rest of the Arab countries feel very comfortable with Spain. With the architecture, Islam, cultures, and rituals being performed in Spain, we feel very close together. At the same time, Qatar has reached a new level of development, which is amazing,” he added.
