AmCham event wraps up US business mission to Qatar

A delegation of officials from some 18 American companies and more than 30 US business executives took part in the “2nd US-Qatar Economic and Investment Dialogue” set up to open channels of communication between members of business communities in both the countries. The US Chamber, as the organiser of the dialogue, worked in partnership with sponsors ConocoPhillips, Visa and Blue Rubicon. The success of the trade mission was marked by a “closing lunch” hosted by one of the event partners — the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar. Robert Hager, chairman, American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, said: “American companies bring with them a number of innovations and transferable skills that would give Qatari companies a critical competitive advantage. Qatari companies can take advantage of these skills by setting up a number of partnerships and finding new ways of working together, a key point of discussion during the business mission. This is the type of commitment we already see from mission sponsors, ConocoPhillips, Visa and Blue Rubicon, who have all set up thriving business in the country. We are looking forward to paving the way for future economic cooperation between the US and Qatar.” The strong bilateral partnership is also evidenced by increasing trade volumes between the US and Qatar, which have seen significant growth in recent years.  The US is one of Qatar’s largest trade partners — Qatar’s imports from the US reached $3.3bn during the first half of 2016, a 87% increase from the same period last year. Moreover, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has renewed its commitment to invest more than $35bn in the US over the next five years. “The US Chamber’s business mission is a great way to cap off 2016 and prepare for the coming year. By organising this delegation of top American companies to Qatar for the bilateral dialogue, the US Chamber is leading by action to strengthen and expand the vibrant commercial and investment relationship between our nations,” said Steve Lutes, executive director, US -Qatar Business Programme at the US Chamber.  Qatar and the US inaugurated their first US-Qatar Economic and Investment Dialogue in October 2015, marking a milestone in the bilateral economic relationship between the two countries. The dialogue is intended as an annual forum for key decision makers to identify concrete steps to bolster financial, investment and economic relations.