Doha, Qatar. Cyprus’ trade office in the Gulf took part in the EU-Qatar Dialogue on Safe and Resilient Food Trade in Doha this week, placing the island’s exporters within broader discussions on food security, resilient supply chains and stable access to the Qatari market.
Despo Chrysostomou, representing the Cyprus Trade Centre in the GCC Region, joined representatives from the European Union, Qatari authorities, the private sector and industry experts at the event.
Dialogue focus
The dialogue focused on food security, food-safety systems, resilient supply chains and international trade, according to Qatar News Agency.
It also examined how European food and agricultural exports can secure stable market access through transparent import procedures and internationally recognised sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
Cyprus Trade Centre role
For Cyprus, the event marked more than a diplomatic engagement. The Cyprus Trade Centre in Dubai operates under the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry and the Embassy of Cyprus in the UAE.
The office covers the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. Its role includes promoting Cypriot products and services, supporting local businesses in foreign markets and helping identify trade and investment opportunities across the region.
Qatar market interest
Qatar is a market of growing interest for Cyprus as Doha continues to reshape its food-security model around local production, strategic reserves and diversified supply routes.
Qatar Chamber board member Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly said during the dialogue that Qatar’s food-security experience had moved beyond theory and had been tested through successive crises.
He said the country was seeking to become a global hub for food security and food technology through stronger partnerships with the EU in agriculture, supply chains, food safety and modern technologies.
Trade standards and logistics
The Gulf Times reported that the Doha discussions also covered Qatar’s efforts to build public-private partnerships, strengthen logistics capabilities and use digital transformation and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency in food trade.
The European Commission’s food-safety framework, relevant for smaller exporters including those from Cyprus, is based on risk-based import controls, traceability, official certificates and border checks. Imported food and feed are expected to meet the same safety, quality and traceability standards as products made within the EU.