The US-Qatar Business Council sponsored reception at the residence of  US Ambassador Susan Ziadeh in honour of the
visiting Department of Commerce multi-modal trade mission

The US-Qatar Business Council sponsored a reception hosted at the residence of the US Ambassador Susan Ziadeh.
The reception was held in honour of the visiting Department of Commerce Multi-Modal Trade Mission.
Commerce undersecretary Francisco Sanchez and Transportation Department assistant secretary Susan Kurland led the mission, which also visited the UAE. 
The 14 American companies that participated in the Mission including Boeing Company and Herzog, both USQBC members, aimed to capitalise on Qatar’s projected $100bn plus infrastructure programme that was planned in anticipation of the 2022 World Cup.
Following an introduction by the ambassador,  Patrick Theros, president and executive director US- Qatar Business Council, addressed the  attendees, welcoming them to Qatar.
Theros emphasised the importance of Qatar to American business interests, citing significant US investments in the GCC country.
He jokingly told the delegation that, “If it were up to me, I would have kept you in Qatar for the entire week rather than let you go on to the UAE.” 
More importantly, he emphasised the need to stay engaged and said:  “Qataris prefer to do business with American companies that invest themselves in Qatar, that display a real interest in being deeply engaged in this country rather than just ‘drive-by’ sales.”
Theros stressed that, for American companies willing to show a long-term commitment, the potential short- and long-term rewards are enormous.
Qatari organisations were represented at the event. 
Notables at the reception included Dr Hussain al-Abdulla, vice-chairman, Qatar Investment Authority and Hussain Alfardan, president, Qatar Businessmen’s Association.
Senior management from USQBC members in Qatar were also present.
They include Qatar Airways, Trags, and Target Construction as well as Qatar-based US companies Raytheon, ExxonMobil, Occidental and Chevron.  Representatives from IBM and Oliver Wyman were also in attendance. 
Given the large number of guests, the event offered many opportunities for networking. Theros and USQBC Qatar managing director, Elie Haddad introduced delegation members to potential Qatari partners.