(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) has concluded a business & investment programme it organised for members of the US House of Representatives who were in Doha recently. The Congressional delegation consisted of eight members who participated in an extensive programme agenda that included meetings with both Qatari government and private sector officials. The participants also met with US government and US private sector officials to discuss and learn more about enhancing business opportunities for the members' districts.
The delegation was sponsored by USQBC to strengthen commercial ties, facilitate business engagements, and enhance investment and trade in the US. It is comprised of Darrell Issa (CA-50), Lou Correa (CA-46), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Matt Gaetz (FL-1), Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Jay Obernolte (CA-8), and Victoria Spartz (IN-5).
“The programme was a resounding success,” The US and Qatar's economic relationship continues to grow, and the delegation's participation in this programme will enhance trade and investment opportunities for the US. We look forward to supporting additional American companies in expanding their business internationally,” said USQBC managing director Mohamed Barakat.
The delegation was hosted at the Amiri Diwan Office by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. During the meeting, the congressional members reiterated the importance of their political and commercial ties with the State of Qatar. They exchanged views on regional and global developments and agreed to further augment their strategic co-operation through a variety of means. The bilateral ties between the two countries continue to solidify with the total economic relationship between them exceeding $200bn as of 2019.
Aside from HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, the Congressional delegation met with HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy president & CEO Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi to discuss the paramount significance of the US-Qatar energy relationship. Qatar and the US have shared a deep, long-lasting history and partnership in the oil and gas sector including Qatar's multibillion-dollar investments in the US energy sector.
The delegation met with the Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, as well as with representatives from Qatar's private sector and discussed the important role of the private sector in the growth of Qatar and ways to expand collaboration among American and Qatari private sector companies. In addition, participants discussed the opportunities offered for Qatari private sector investors in members' districts.
They also met with HE the Minister of State and Qatar Free Zones Authority chairman Ahmad bin Mohamed al-Sayed where they discussed investment, trade, and industrial co-operation.
Programme participants toured the Al Udeid Air Base and were briefed by Brigadier General Gerald A Donohue, Commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Udeid Air Base, as well as the US troops stationed there. The Al Udeid Air Base is the largest US military base in the Middle East and hosts over 10,000 US soldiers. The US recently approved Qatar's $3bn expansion project of Al Udeid Air Base, which further reinforces the long-term defence and security partnership between the US and Qatar and enhances capabilities critical to US security and operations in the Middle East. Qatar is also a key destination for US defence and security exports.
During the programme, they visited Education City and reviewed the many education and research links between Qatar and the US, and learned about the six American universities with branch campuses in Education City.
The members met with officials from US companies and discussed the commercial opportunities available and how these can benefit member districts. In a meeting with Qatar's ambassador to the US Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani, participants discussed the importance of the US-Qatar relationship and ways to enhance it.
They also held meetings with HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Hassan al-Thawadi, and Qatar Airways Group CEO and Qatar Tourism chairman HE Akbar al-Baker.
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