USQBC hosts sideline reception for SelectUSA Investment Summit

The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) recently hosted an evening reception on the sidelines of the SelectUSA Investment Summit at USQBC’s head office in Washington, DC.The event brought together senior government and private sector officials from the US and Qatar, USQBC members, and the wider business community to discuss investment and trade opportunities and strengthen bilateral economic co-operation.The event featured the following speakers: Saleh Majid al-Khulaifi, Deputy Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar; Camille Richardson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Global Markets, US Department of Commerce; Natalie Baker, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy in Qatar; Scott Taylor, president, USQBC; and Mohamed Barakat, managing director and treasurer of the board of directors, USQBC."Qatar’s delegation to the SelectUSA Investment Summit demonstrates the commitment the country has to increase its investment in the US. Sectors, such as artificial intelligence, infrastructure, energy, technology, and hospitality in the US are very dynamic, among others, and are some of the high priority areas for targeted for Qatari-led investment,” said al-Khulaifi.Richardson said: "The two-way trade and investment relationship between Qatar and the US is a critical component of the partnership between our two countries. Qatar is already an important investor and the US and the US Department of Commerce is committed to further expanding these investment inflows.”Baker said: "Qatar’s private sector and sovereign wealth fund already invest in the US, taking advantage of the robust opportunities in the world’s largest market for goods and services. These investment ties are expanding in size and into new states and territories, thanks to the mutual economic benefits and the close relationship between of our countries. The US embassy in Qatar looks forward to facilitating continued collaboration.”Taylor said: "Qatar’s investment in the US improves the American economy and creates jobs for American families. USQBC foresees even greater investment in the US from Qatar’s public and private sectors and we look forward to working with entities on both sides to facilitate these commercial partnerships.”Barakat said: "Qatar is an increasingly large investor in the US across a variety of sectors, including real estate, hospitality, sports, and technology. As the two nations’ partnership continues to grow and expand, we look forward to even greater commercial partnerships and investments.”The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the premier event for promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the US. The summit provides an opportunity for international investors to learn about the US business environment, connect with economic development organisations from across the country, and explore investment opportunities in various sectors.In 2020, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) pledged to invest $45bn in the US over the coming years, with key investments already having been made across multiple sectors, including oil and gas, financial technology, real estate, food production, and hospitality, among others.Some notable investments by QIA in the US include EatJust, Inc, which secured $200mn in funding; Califia Farms, which received a $225mn Series D financing; and So-Fi, which closed over $500mn in equity financing.