Dec 11 (Prensa Latina) Qatar''s ambassador in Cuba Alí Bin Saad Al Kharji highlighted the strong ties of collaboration between the two countries, adding that they will be strengthened in 2010 in the health sector.

  Al Kharji announced that by March next year a hospital will be opened in this Gulf State with a staff of 223 Cuban medical professionals who will also trained Qatari health personnel.

Ophthalmologists paved the way for Cuban cooperation, the diplomat explained, and pointed out that doctors have a fluid relationship with the population that considers their humanitarian work.

Al Kharji made the announcement at a ceremony in Havana to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral, diplomatic relations and ahead of Qatar's National Day on December 18.

He further explained that projects are underway in the tourism sector in which Qatari companies are investing in the construction of a hotel in Havana and another two in Key Largo in Cuba's southern coast. Opportunities are also being explored for investment in agriculture.

The Qatari Ambassador also informed that, to date, 24 agreements on bilateral cooperation have been signed and that his country has a commercial office in Havana to look after business in Cuba and other Latin American nations.

Cuba and Qatar established diplomatic relations on December 13, 1989, and since then the two countries have enjoyed close friendship while Havana supports the Arab cause, the ambassador concluded.