From the 11th to the 15th of October, the US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) organized a non-official delegation for members of the US House of Representatives to visit the State of Qatar on a business & investment program.
The congressional delegation consisted of eight members who participated in an extensive program 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.
This delegation was sponsored by USQBC in order to strengthen commercial ties, facilitate business engagements, and enhance investment and trade in the United States.
The following representatives were part of the Congressional delegation to Qatar:
During the course of the visit, the Members of Congress participated in several engagements and meetings including:
“The program was a resounding success,” said Mohammed Barakat, Managing Director of USQBC. “The US and Qatar’s economic relationship continues to grow, and this delegation’s participation in this program will enhance trade & investment opportunities for the United States. We look forward to supporting additional American companies in expanding their business internationally.”
The delegation was hosted at the Amiri Diwan Office by Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. During this 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 cooperation through a variety of means. The bilateral ties between the two countries continue to solidify with the total economic relationship between them exceeding $200 billion as of 2019.
The Congressional delegation met with the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President & CEO of Qatar Energy Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi to discuss the paramount significance of the US-Qatar energy relationship. Qatar and the United States have shared a deep, long-lasting history and partnership in the oil and gas sector including Qatar’s multibillion-dollar investments in the United States’ energy sector.
As part of the program, participants met with the Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al-Thani. The congressional delegation met 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.
In the course of the program, participants met with Qatar Free Zones Authority Chairman Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, the two sides discussed investment, trade, and industrial cooperation.
As part of the program, participants toured the Al-Udeid Airbase 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 Airbase is the largest US military base in the Middle East and hosts over 10,000 US soldiers. The US recently approved Qatar’s $3 billion expansion project of Al Udeid Air Base, which further reinforces the long-term defense and security partnership between the US and Qatar and enhances capabilities critical to US security & operations in the Middle East. Qatar is also a key destination for US defense and security exports.
During the program, the members of congress visited Education City and reviewed the many education and research links between Qatar and the US, and they learned about the six American universities with branch campuses in Education City. The participants also witnessed the progress made in preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 during a visit to Al-Rayyan Stadium, one of the venues for the event. The congressional delegation visited The Pearl-Qatar and Katara Cultural Village and learned about the many opportunities available in Qatar’s real estate, hospitality, and tourism industries.
As part of the program, members met with officials from US companies and discussed the commercial opportunities available and how these can benefit member districts. During their 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. In the course of their meeting with Qatar’s Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie and Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi, participants discussed the progress on the many projects associated with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. While meeting with Qatar Airways Group CEO and Chairman of Qatar Tourism Akbar Al Baker, participants discussed the expansion of Hamad International Airport, advancements in Qatar’s tourism sector, and what opportunities exist for members’ districts.