Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said there is a lot of excitement in Qatar about forging partnerships with Indian businesses, not only for investments in the two countries but also for collaborating on third-country projects. Citing an example, he said that Qatar-based Al Balagh is a partner with Larsen & Toubro, and they have completed projects in Qatar, with plans to undertake similar projects in third countries where they can jointly undertake the contracting work.

"There is a lot of excitement in Qatar for attracting partnerships with Indian businesses, both for investment in India and Qatar, as also for doing third country projects in partnership between Qatar and Indian businesses," he told reporters here after meeting Al Balagh Chairman Sherida Saad Jubran Al Kaabi here.

"The Qatari government is also looking at third country projects for which, as they inform me, the Qatar Development Bank is willing to give guarantees for financing," he said.

Meanwhile, Goyal on Tuesday said that India's exports have grown by 4 to 5% in the first six months of the year, despite global economic challenges.

In an interview with ANI during his Qatar visit, Goyal said, "India is an emerging economic power in the world. Despite global turmoil, Indian exports have risen by 4-5% in the first six months of this year.