Exclusive-QatarEnergy boss says World Cup tension will not impact German business

DOHA : QatarEnergy chief Saad al-Kaabi said on Monday that business with German firms would not be impacted by political tensions over criticism of Qatar's hosting of the World Cup, which has raised the ire of officials in the Gulf Arab gas exporter.

Kaabi told Reuters he was shocked by German Economy Minister Robert Habeck's widely reported remarks last week, which were confirmed on Monday by his ministry, that awarding Doha the tournament was a "stupid idea and can't really be explained otherwise than by corruption".

Doha has faced mounting criticism, mostly from Europe, over its treatment of foreign workers and LGBT rights ahead of the World Cup that began on Sunday. It has denied discrimination and pointed to labour reforms, while organisers previously denied allegations of bribery to win hosting rights.

"The comments that Mr. Habeck again, has come out with, are not helpful for the relationship, but our business will move on," said Kaabi, who is also minister of state for energy.

Qatar's foreign minister accused Berlin of "double standards" in a newspaper interview earlier this month. In October his office summoned the German ambassador to object over critical comments by Germany's interior minister.

The ruling emir of one of the world's top gas exporters, which Europe has looked to help tackle an energy supply crunch, has also publicly lashed out at mounting international criticism of Qatar, calling it "ferocious slander".

QatarEnergy and German utility firms have been thrashing out long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) deals for much of this year as Berlin looks for alternatives to Russia, which is Germany's biggest gas supplier.

"The companies in Germany have excellent leadership and then we have a great