Baku — September 7, 2025
Azerbaijan has deepened its economic partnership with Qatar through a series of high-level meetings and new agreements spanning energy, infrastructure, and investment, officials confirmed.
During a working visit to Doha, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov held talks with senior Qatari officials and business leaders, underscoring Baku’s strategy of strengthening ties with Gulf partners.
Jabbarov met with Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, to discuss expanding bilateral trade and investment. “We emphasized that strengthening trade relations and increasing mutual investments will contribute to the economic development of both countries,” the minister wrote on social platform X. He noted that cooperation in priority sectors such as energy, green technologies, agriculture, and infrastructure topped the agenda.
In parallel, Jabbarov held discussions with executives from major Qatari conglomerates, including Power International Holding and Abu Dhabi Development Holding, highlighting the potential for joint projects and cross-border investment.
SOCAR–Qatar Deal
A significant outcome of the visit was the signing of two memoranda of understanding between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Qatar’s UCC Holding. The agreements cover broad collaboration across the energy value chain — from oil and gas exploration and production to petrochemicals, logistics, and power generation.
One memorandum focuses on rebuilding Syria’s war-damaged energy sector. SOCAR and UCC Holding pledged to cooperate on restoring key infrastructure, including gas-fired power plants, in coordination with the governments of Azerbaijan and Qatar. The initiative is expected to accelerate the recovery of Syria’s energy system and contribute to regional stability.
The second agreement extends cooperation beyond the Middle East, paving the way for joint ventures in third countries and greater participation in global energy markets.
SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and UCC Holding President Ramez Al Khayyat signed the documents at a ceremony attended by Minister Jabbarov, who also chairs SOCAR’s Supervisory Board. “Strategic partnership in the energy sector strengthens our economic cooperation on a global scale,” Jabbarov said.
Broader Context
Azerbaijan has sought to diversify its partnerships in the Gulf, positioning itself as both an energy supplier and a logistics hub linking Eurasia to the Middle East. Qatar, meanwhile, continues to expand its international investment footprint, with a focus on energy and infrastructure projects.
The deals mark a new stage in Azerbaijan–Qatar relations, combining government support with private-sector partnerships. For Baku, they add another dimension to its multivector foreign economic policy, while for Doha they open opportunities to co-develop projects in energy markets and emerging economies.
