Qatar, Uruguay sign investment protection and tax treaties to deepen economic ties 

The first pact was signed by Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani, and Uruguay’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mario Lubetkin. QNA
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Updated 08 December 2025
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Qatar, Uruguay sign investment protection and tax treaties to deepen economic ties 

RIYADH: Qatar and Uruguay signed two economic agreements aimed at strengthening investment flows and eliminating double taxation as Doha moves to expand its network of international trade partners. 

The deals were concluded on the sidelines of the Doha Forum 2025, the Qatar News Agency reported.  

The first pact, an agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investments, was signed by Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani, and Uruguay’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mario Lubetkin. 

The agreements come as part of efforts to establish a modern legal framework that eases two-way investments and strengthens investor confidence. They ensure fair treatment for investors, protect them from non-commercial risks, allow free movement of funds, and adopt global best practices for dispute resolution. 

“This agreement is an important step toward expanding the horizons of economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries and opening new avenues for mutual investments, especially in vital sectors and services,” QNA reported. 

In a parallel move, the two countries also signed an agreement to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion and avoidance. Qatar’s Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, and Lubetkin signed the document. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Al-Kuwari emphasized the importance of the tax agreement, stating: “It will contribute to supporting international transparency standards through the exchange of documented financial information, alongside strengthening bilateral economic relations between the two countries.” 

The tax treaty aims to remove all forms of double taxation, prevent tax evasion, and ensure fairness and equality in the treatment of individuals. It is also expected to bolster commercial cooperation and increase investment opportunities for both governments and private entities. 

The agreement is expected to support broader economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and create additional opportunities for mutual investment, particularly in key sectors and services. Qatar said it hopes the deal will further strengthen bilateral ties and serve the shared interests of both nations.

Following their signing, both agreements will enter into force after the completion of ratification procedures according to the domestic laws of each country. 

The signings were preceded by a meeting between Al-Thani and Lubetkin, where they reviewed cooperation in commercial, investment, and industrial fields and discussed ways to enhance and develop these relations further. 


European gas prices soar almost 50% as Iran conflict halts Qatar LNG output

Updated 02 March 2026
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European gas prices soar almost 50% as Iran conflict halts Qatar LNG output

  • Analysts warn prolonged disruption could push prices higher
  • Some shipments of oil, LNG through Strait of Hormuz suspended
  • Benchmark Asian LNG price up almost 39 percent

LONDON: ​Benchmark Dutch and British wholesale gas prices soared by almost 50 percent on Monday, after major liquefied natural gas exporter Qatar Energy said it had halted production due to attacks in the Middle East.

Qatar, soon to cement its role as the world’s second largest LNG exporter after the US, plays a major role in balancing both Asian and European markets’ demand of LNG.

Most tanker owners, oil majors and ‌trading houses ‌have suspended crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural ​gas shipments ‌via ⁠the ​Strait of ⁠Hormuz, trade sources said, after Tehran warned ships against moving through the waterway.

Europe has increased imports of LNG over the past few years as it seeks to phase out Russian gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Around 20 percent of the world’s LNG transits through the Strait of Hormuz and a prolonged suspension or full closure would increase global competition for other ⁠sources of the gas, driving up prices internationally.

“Disruptions to ‌LNG flows would reignite competition between ‌Asia and Europe for available cargoes,” said ​Massimo Di Odoardo, vice president, gas ‌and LNG research at Wood Mackenzie.

The Dutch front-month contract at the ‌TTF hub, seen as a benchmark price for Europe, was up €14.56 at €46.52 per megawatt hour, or around $15.92/mmBtu, by 12:55 p.m. GMT, ICE data showed.

Prices were already some 25 percent higher earlier in the day but extended gains ‌after QatarEnergy’s production halt.

Benchmark Asian LNG prices jumped almost 39 percent on Monday morning with the S&P Global ⁠Energy Japan-Korea-Marker, widely used ⁠as an Asian LNG benchmark, at $15.068 per million British thermal units, Platts data showed.

“If LNG/gas markets start to price in an extended period of losses to Qatari LNG supply, TTF could potentially spike to 80-100 euros/MWh ($28-35/mmBtu),” Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING, said. The British April contract was up 40.83 pence at 119.40 pence per therm, ICE data showed.

Europe is also relying on LNG imports to help fill its gas storage sites which have been depleted over the winter and are currently around 30 percent full, the latest data from Gas Infrastructure ​Europe showed. In the European carbon ​market, the benchmark contract was down €1.10 at €69.17 a tonne