In the Name of God, The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful
Your Excellencies,
Heads and members of participating delegations,
Honorable guests,
      It gives me great pleasure to welcome you in Doha at this conference which is gaining special significance since it is being held shortly after the Earth Summit in Johannesburg which underlined the growing world awareness of eco disorder phenomena and their resulting climatic catastrophes due to the unbalanced pattern of natural resources consumption.
      The realization of environmental goals to which we all aspire requires, among other things, conversion to the clean sources of energy notably natural gas which has, furthermore, several technical and economic advantages that encourage expansion in its utilization.
      Besides, what is noticeable about your conference is the distinguished quality of the participating companies and individuals, which in turn reflects the growing importance of gas industry worldwide. This also gives us more confidence that our decisions taken some years ago to invest in this industry and its byproducts were correct as we relied on the huge gas resources, which turned Qatar in a record time into one of the world leading countries in gas processing industry and its exportation.
      This development required issuing several legislations and laws as well as laying down the foundations of the infrastructure which contributed to the conclusion of long term agreements with major world companies to establish huge industrial projects for the utilization and exportation of gas in the industrial cities of Ras Laffan and Mseaid. These agreements became an example to be followed for excellent industrial cooperation based on fair grounds that take into consideration the legitimate Ambitions of all parties.
      In this respect, I am happy to say with all pride that the State of Qatar represents an ideal place for opportunities of work and investment, particularly in the field of gas related industries.
      The availability of various financial incentives, the guarantee of foreign investments and freedom of transfer of financial returns and profits without any restrictions, in addition to the prevalence of security, stability and modern means of communications and an advanced network of land, air and sea transportation as well as a modern grid of electricity and water and a lot of the pre-requisites of the infrastructure that is necessary for industrial projects provide the proper investment climate and the solid base for the requirements of a successful partnership, namely cooperation, transparency and mutual benefits.
      The State of Qatar will continue the necessary development of the gas industry to fulfill the requirements of investors and consumers and natural gas, and contribute to satisfying the needs of the world and the future generations for clean and economical energy that complies with the demands of this century as well as the future.
      The realization of the desired targets in the development of the gas industry is not without technological, economic and marketing obstacles and difficulties, whether in the fields of the liquefaction and export of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas or the turning of gas into petroleum products. Therefore we hope that your conference will secure this field for the exchange of experiences to surmount such difficulties and obstacles and provide opportunities for further joint ventures.
      We are all confidence that the papers and discussions of your conference will contribute to finding the suitable means for sustaining and developing natural gas industry through financing and marketing for the good of all mankind.

May the peace and blessings of God be upon you.