MIAMI, FL – APRIL 5, 2018: The first Qatar-Miami business forum was held on Wednesday, with the largest-ever delegation of Qatari government and business representatives to visit Florida.
Around 200 Miami business representatives from the real estate, hospitality, infrastructure, technology and services industries attended the forum to hear about business and export opportunities.
“Florida was chosen as the first stop on our US visit because Qatar has deep and substantial economic ties to the Greater-Miami area,” said Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani.
“Over the past decade, Qatar has cemented its partnership with the U.S. in the form of direct investments, joint ventures and trade deals. These investments have contributed to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs and countless new opportunities for investors and businessmen from both countries.”
The roadshow featured the Qatar Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Energy and Industry, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Qatari Businessmen Association, Qatar Airways, Qatar Stock Exchange, Doha Film Institute, Qatar Foundation, beIN SPORTS, Manateq, Qatari Diar, and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, the organizing body for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“I am honored to welcome hundreds of executives and officials from Qatar to Miami for the Qatar-US Economic Forum and the US-Qatar Business Council,” said Miami Mayor Suarez. “This event is a testament to our city’s position as a thriving epicenter of global investment. Our economic potential as a global city, international hub, and preferred destination for partnerships and investments is a valuable resource that is becoming well known among the world’s most prominent business leaders. I look forward to building upon these relationships and sharing everything Miami has to offer with the international community.”
Ambassador Anne Patterson, President of the US-Qatar Business Council, said there is enormous potential for Miami and Qatar to build business and investment partnerships.
“Miami is one of America’s most cosmopolitan cities and has been an important hub for the expansion of business and trade with multi-national corporations and into Latin America. Today’s business forum has highlighted many opportunities for Florida to deepen economic links and enhance the relationship with Qatar as a key middle-east partner.”
“Florida’s famous hospitality industry can benefit from Qatar’s hosting of the four million people expected for the World Cup 2022. Floridian companies can also fill the demand for massive construction projects leading up to this world event.”
The U.S. is one of Qatar's strongest trade partners. In the past ten years trade volume between the two countries has doubled from $3 billion to $6 billion in 2017 with a trade surplus in favor of the US of $4 billion.
Ambassador Patterson said Qatar recently announced plans to invest $45 billion in US infrastructure and other projects in the United States.
“Qatar is a strong and reliable investor and trading partner for the United States, importing more goods from the US than anywhere else in the world. The US-Qatar Business Council looks forward to exciting new business and investment relationships between Qatar and Miami.”
The delegation will also visit Washington D.C.; Raleigh, North Carolina; Charleston and Lowcountry, South Carolina.
About the US-Qatar Business Council
The US-Qatar Business Council is a U.S. based not for profit which works to develop and sustain commercial, economic and trade relationships between the United States and Qatar. USQBC facilitates forums and discussions for American companies doing or planning to do business in Qatar. The Council, together with the US-based Qatar Foundation International, also supports educational and cultural partnerships between Qatar and the United States.
US-Qatar Business Fast Facts: