US Trade Representative Delegation Visits Qatar
US Trade Representative Delegation Visits Qatar
to Discuss Trade & Investment Relations
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June 18, 2015: The Office of the United States Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President (USTR) met with the Qatar Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) and participated in private sector engagements organized by the American Chamber of Commerce – Qatar (AmCham Qatar), Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and the US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) on June 14th. The USTR also participated in a US-GCC Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Conference in Doha held over the following two days.
Daniel Mullaney, Assistant to the US Trade Representative, led the delegation with Jason Buntin, Director for Western Europe and Middle East Affairs at USTR. Officials from the US Department of State, US Department of Commerce, US Department of Agriculture, US Food and Drug Administration, and the US Federal Trade Commission also participated in of the delegation.
In advance of the US-GCC TIFA meetings, the delegation devoted a day to focus on the US-Qatari bilateral relationship, including Consumer Protection, Information and Communication Technology Services, Customs, Intellectual Property Rights and Food Safety. In addition, they heard about how American tax laws on US citizens abroad are impacting international business.
The QCCI, supported by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) and USQBC, hosted the eight-member delegation in a program that invited American and Qatari private sector leaders to discuss important topics including opportunities and recommendations that impact bilateral business interests between the two nations.
The delegation also attended a private briefing and discussion hosted by AmCham Qatar and USQBC. Robert Hager, AmCham Qatar’s Chairman delivered the opening remarks. Senior executives of American firms operating in business services, energy, defense, and infrastructure in Qatar briefed the visiting delegation on American business activities and challenges in Qatar.
The United States and Qatar have a strong bilateral trade and investment relationship. US exports to Qatar exceeded $4 billion in 2014 and 11.5% of Qatar’s total imports are from the United States. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) plans to invest upwards of $35 billion in the United States over the next five years. Trade delegations and business-to-business meetings are crucial to further enhancing the bilateral trade relationship between the US and Qatar.
