USQBC Opens Office in Qatar

The US-Qatar Business Council inaugurated the opening of its Qatar office through Qatar Financial Centre at a reception event in Doha, Qatar on December 16, 2019. The event was attended by high level officials from the Qatari and American public and private sectors. Guests of honor included HE Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry; HE Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al-Thani, the Governor of Qatar’s Central Bank; HE Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to the US; Mr. Yousuf Al-Jaida, CEO of Qatar Financial Centre; and Brigadier General Nawaf bin Mubarak Al-Thani, Qatar’s Defense Attaché to the US. From the US government, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Gulf Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Timothy Lenderking; and Chief of Mission and Chargé d’affaires of the US Embassy in Qatar, Bill Grant.

“The Council is thrilled to be opening an office in Qatar and looks forward to extending its reach locally to the Qatari and American business community based here,” said Ambassador Anne Patterson, President of the US-Qatar Business Council, in her opening remarks. Mohammed Barakat, Managing Director of the US-Qatar Business Council added: “This has been a goal of the Council for a few years now, and we know this will further enhance and advance our ability to serve the US-Qatar business community.”

HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry delivered remarks highlighting the strength of the US-Qatar bilateral trade relationship and the reforms that took place and are still in the works in the State of Qatar to increase the ease of doing business.

During the event the Council announced that Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad Al-Thani will lead its office in Qatar. “We are very proud to have our office in Qatar led by Sheikha Mayes Al-Thani. Her leadership will advance our efforts in Qatar and will certainly advance the broader bilateral US-Qatar business relationship,” Mr. Barakat said. The US-Qatar Business Council in Washington, DC will work closely with Sheikha Mayes and her team to advance the commercial relationship between the two countries.

Sheikha Mayes shared about her partnership with the Council in Qatar: “I’m looking forward to working with USQBC. It’s a great opportunity to take part in supporting and strengthening the bilateral business relationship between the State of Qatar and the United States. The establishment of the USQBC office in Doha will aid in reflecting our country’s true image and business environment to the US business sector and will encourage both parties to consider having investments in both markets.”

Also, in attendance at the event were the Council’s Board of Directors. This inaugural event came after a day of meetings for the Board with key Qatari stakeholders, including Qatari government Ministers, officials and private sector leaders. In addition, The Council’s Board met with US government officials and US business leaders in Qatar. The Council’s Board had fruitful discussions on many topics including the new reforms, ease of doing business, investments and the general strength of the US-Qatari bilateral relationship.

The US-Qatar Business Council would like to thank its sponsors for this event marking history for the Council. Thank you to our Gold Sponsor ConocoPhillips as well as its Silver Sponsors, LuLu Group and Excelerate Energy.