A delegation from German-based Volkswagen, Porsche and the German state of Lower Saxony has visited Qatar and met with key officials from the Arab emirate.

The talks focused on possible research cooperation into new materials, energy production and storage, fuel economy optimization in engines, and the medium-term openings for establishing a vehicle materials test laboratory, VW said.

Along with the German state of Lower Saxony and the luxury sports car maker Porsche SE, Qatar Holding LLC is one of VW's leading shareholders and is the emirate's biggest single investment.