The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) held a meeting with Greta Holtz, the chargé d’affaires of the US embassy in Doha, to discuss ways to enhance joint co-operation with the US in all economic sectors and exploring potential investment opportunities in both countries.
The meeting, which was headed by QBA chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, was held in the presence of Megan Schildgen, senior commercial officer, and Mike Schreuder, economic officer.
Joining the meeting were other senior QBA officials, such as QBA first deputy chairman Hussain Alfardan and second deputy chairman Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Thani al Thani, as well as QBA board members Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Sherida al-Kaabi, and Saud al-Mana.
QBA members present at the meeting include Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-Thani, Mohamed Althaf, and Ihsan al-Khiyami, as well as QBA deputy general manager Sarah Abdallah.
After welcoming the guests, HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani expressed how QBA values the strong Qatar-US bilateral relations, which, he said, continued to develop until reaching a distinguished stage of strategic partnership in all fields considering that the US is Qatar’s largest global direct investor and largest trading partner.
He said the Qatari private sector continuously seeks to enhance opportunities for co-operation and support economic relations between the two countries. The private sector also reached a stage of maturity that was able to establish local and regional partnerships with a strategic partner, such as the US, Sheikh Faisal stressed.
Holtz, who thanked QBA for the meeting, stressed that Qatar-US relations are based on “solid foundations and a strategic partnership.” Through the visit, Holtz said she aims to exchange views and ideas on how to develop Qatar-US ties, according to the ambitions of both countries.
She said Qatar is capable to attract the American investor to its markets, pointing out the incentives the Gulf state provides, whether in its taxation system, or the ease of procedures, transparency, stability and security, in addition to the measures taken by Qatar that benefit foreign investors to accelerate and facilitate foreign direct investment in the Qatari market, highlighting the importance and the role of Qatar free zones.
The meeting discussed ways to increase co-operation between the Qatar and the US. Alfardan stressed on the need to increase the presence of US companies in Doha and create new partnerships.
He also referred to the “distinctive regional location” of Qatar with the presence of the largest port in the region and a global logistical fleet that facilitates access to global markets, in addition to Hamad International Airport, as it is one of the most important international airports, which would enhance shipping and transportation routes between Qatar and its global partners.
Sheikh Khalid also indicated that Qatari companies enjoy global competitive experiences and advantages and are always looking for partnerships and explore investment opportunities in global markets, especially in the US.
He added that the US economy is attractive and provides great business opportunities for Qatari investments. He also lauded the efforts made by both countries to remove all challenges facing business owners from both sides.
Sheikh Nawaf stressed the need to encourage American small and medium-sized companies to explore the Qatari market and the importance of the US government’s support, so they can cooperate with Qatari businessmen and work in the Qatari market.
This was confirmed by Schildgen, who is responsible for commercial relations at the US embassy in Doha, through the presence of a specialised team for SMEs, which presents an annual report to Congress on the support provided to these companies and methods of evaluation.