* QBA, high-level US delegation explore investment opportunities
The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) recently held a meeting with Jane Harman, former member of the US House of Representatives and her accompanying delegation, during a business lunch on the sidelines of the Doha Forum.
In the presence of senior US diplomatic and economic figures, the meeting was aimed at enhancing means of joint co-operation with the US and exploring opportunities and investment sectors in both countries.
The meeting, which was headed by QBA Chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, was attended by QBA first deputy chairman Hussain Alfardan and board members Sherida al-Kaabi and Saud al-Mana.
Also present were QBA members Khalid al-Mannai, Sheikh Faisal bin Fahd al-Thani, Nabil Abu Issa, Maqbool Habib Khalfan, Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal al-Thani, Yousef al-Mahmoud, Ihsan al-Khaiymi, and Shaijan M O, who represented LuLu Group, as well as QBA deputy GM Sarah Abdallah.
The Qatari Businesswomen’s Association (QBWA) also participated in the meeting, including board members Awatif al-Dafaa, Amal al-Athem, and Mashael al-Ansari.
The US delegation comprised of Paula Dobriansky, who served as Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Kay Bailey Hutchison, Permanent Representative of the US to Nato; Megan Sullivan, former Deputy National Security Adviser; Anne Patterson, former President of USQBC; and Maureen Quinn, former US ambassador to Qatar and current university professor at the University of New York; as well as Robert Dickey, who owns one of the largest law firms in the US.
Sheikh Faisal praised the strong bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the US, which have developed a strategic partnership in all sectors. The US is the largest direct global investor and the largest trading partner of Qatar.
Harman stressed that Qatari-US relations are based on solid foundations and a strategic partnership and that she aims to exchange views and ideas on how to develop these relations to meet the aspirations of the two countries.
Alfardan called on the US side to invest in the State of Qatar and underscored the need to increase the presence of American companies in the country and create new partnerships. He also praised the expertise and global competitive advantages of Qatari companies.
Dobriansky said Qatar has developed remarkably and has the capabilities to attract American investors to its markets. She also discussed the sectors in which the two parties can cooperate, such as education, and stressed that the US delegation is fully prepared to serve as a promotional tool for the Qatari market and culture.
During the meeting, the attendees discussed the role of the Qatari private sector in supporting the country's strategic plans and its constant keenness to search for partnerships and study investment opportunities in global markets, especially the US market, “which has the confidence of Qatari investors.”