Qatari Minister of Energy and Industry Honored in Washington, DC Gala Dinner

Washington, DC - The US-Qatar Business Council, in partnership with the Embassy of the State of Qatar and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, gathered more than 200 top international business leaders and policy-makers at a Gala dinner held at the magnificent Hall of Flags of the US Chamber of Commerce, to honor His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry of the State of Qatar, and his delegation on the heels of their week long visit to the United States. During his speech, the Minister described how Qatar’s natural resources helped the economy grow, embracing progress and modernity. However, the Minister mentioned how Qatar’s ambitious plans are geared towards a diversified and knowledge based economy. The Minister’s delegation included Mr. Hamad Rashid Al-Mohannadi, CEO of RasGas, Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Managing Director of QP, Mr. Khalid Khalifah al-Thani of QatarGas and Mr. Nasser Khalil Al-Jaidah, CEO of QPI among other representatives. The hosts, Ambassador Mohammed Jaham al-Kuwari, Ambassador of Qatar to the United States, Mr. Greg Lebedev, Senior Advisor to the President of the US Chamber and Ambassador Patrick Theros, President of the US-Qatar Business Council welcomed our distinguished guests who included Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Arun Kumar, and Ambassador Susan Ziadeh, Former US Ambassador to Qatar and current Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Arabian Peninsula. Mr. Lebedev welcomed the guests and spoke at length on the importance of the commercial and financial ties between the two countries. Ambassador Theros followed thanking our Lead Sponsors, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips as well as Platinum and Gold Sponsors Raytheon, Occidental Petroleum, Aljazeera Media Network and Qatar Airways for making the evening a success. Khosh Choksy, the US Chamber Vice President for Turkey and Middle East Affairs introduced Ambassador Patterson, who noted the near-identity of interests that bind the two countries in these troubled times in the region. Mr. Bart Cahir, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar, a Lead Sponsor, described the history and importance of ExxonMobil’s investment in Qatar and introduced the Minister. Dr. Al-Sada spoke warmly about Qatar’s relationship with the United States, thanking the hosts for the evening and inviting American companies to look seriously at Qatar as they consider investments abroad. Mr. Matthew Fox, ConocoPhillips’ Executive Vice President for Exploration and Production, closed the speeches thanking the hosts and noting again the importance of Qatar to the United States’ economy and to his company.