Qatar has shown signals that it wishes to tighten its relations with Croatia and to invest in it. Ten years ago Qatar proposed building an LNG terminal in Croatia and investing in Croatian shipyards to build tankers for the transport of liquefied natural gas. The Croatian government of former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader turned down Qatar's offer.

According to unofficial sources, Qatar is still interested in investing in an LNG terminal, and the Emir said during a visit to Dubrovnik last year that he was generally interested in the energy sector in Croatia.

Croatia's delegation, headed by President Josipovic and including First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy Radimir Cacic, hope that their talks will lead to the realisation of these investments.

Earlier in the year, a Croatian-Qatar Friendship Society was formed in an effort to familiarise the two countries with their cultures and peoples. Qatar Airways recently introduced daily direct flights between the countries' capitals.

Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world and its economy is based on exporting oil and natural gas, which accounts for more than half the country's GDP.

Qatar is trying to reduce its dependence on oil and prepare for when oil will no longer be its principal source of revenue.