Qatar has become the first member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to set out terms for the shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Eastern Europe.

State-owned firm Qatargas has reached an agreement with Poland's main gas company PGNiG and will begin exporting gas to the country from 2014 onwards on a 20-year supply agreement.

"This agreement is very important because it is the first between Qatar and an East European country and there is no doubt it will contribute to further strengthening relations between our countries," said Qatargas chairman, Abdullah bin Hamad Al Atteya.

Qatargas also last month announced that it is to train Qatari nationals involved in the Qatar Shell Technical Preparation Programme.

The initiative is requisite for all new entrants to the Qatari oil and gas industry and training must be completed before they can be qualified as professional technicians and operators.

The training and development programme will be conducted in line with Australian Quality Framework standards.

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