Dubai: A senior Qatar minister has hailed the contributions of Indians, particularly Keralites, in building the economy of the country.

Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Sultan Hassan Al-Dhabit Al-Dousari made the remarks yesterday at the Qatar Malayali Conference, hosted by Qatar Indian Islahi Centre. Al-Dousari appealed to the gathering to give their best to the country that houses them in such large numbers, adding that relations between Qatar and India spanned several centuries.

A resolution backing Qatar's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games was passed unanimously. The minister thanked the community for its support to the bid. Artist M F Hussain released the conference souvenir by handing over a copy to leading businessman C K Menon. Indian Ambassador George Joseph appealed to the community to continue its support to the initiatives being made by Qatar to emerge as a front line state, Gulf Times said.

Kerala Minister for Forests Binoy Viswom, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Ramesh Chennithala, state secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League T A Ahmed Kabeer and Kerala Naduvathul Mujahiddin general secretary Hussain Madavoor also spoke on the occasion.

Source : PTI