Login

About Asian Telegraph Qatar

Asian Telegraph Qatar, led by veteran journalist Ashraf Siddiqui, is a trusted news platform focused on Qatar’s contributions to global peace, economic growth, education, and youth development. 

Featuring insights from international journalists, it covers local and global events in business, culture, sports, and more, offering readers balanced perspectives on both Qatar and world affairs.

Contact Details

  • PO Box: 20927, Doha City Qatar
  • Tel: +974 33279600
  • Fax: +974 44372909
  • info@asiantelegraphqatar.com
  • www.asiantelegraphqatar.com

Qatar Foreign Minister Addresses US Chamber of Commerce, Stresses Importance of US-Qatar Economic Partnership

By
M Ashraf Siddiqui
29/06/2017
in

Washington
(MOFA)
29 June 2017

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Foreign Minister of Qatar spoke about the importance of the US-Qatar economic partnership at a meeting with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today.

Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Al-Thani, CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority , and Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Advisor to Ruler of Qatar on Investment Affairs were also present on the occasion.

Qatar's Foreign Minister also addressed issues relating to the current diplomatic, economic and social blockade of Qatar by four Arab nations.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani reassured the participants that the fundamentals of the Qatari economy are strong and resilient. Qatari banks are well capitalized and have sufficient liquidity, he told them, and Qatar's international investment portfolio is well diversified. Qatar's credit rating remains among the top 25 in the world, the Foreign Minister observed, even after recent adjustments.

"Our global investments have resulted in strong economic growth and have produced jobs in the US and across Europe, as well as solid returns for Qatar," he told the Chamber. "Thats a clear win-win for Qatar and its international partners," he said.

The Foreign Minister noted that the blockade was having a minimal impact on Qatar's exports. Shipments of LNG, oil, petrochemicals and other commodities continue uninterrupted, he said, because exports to Japan, India, South Korea and China, which account for nearly three-quarters of Qatars export volume, are all countries unaffected by the blockade. In addition, imports via Hamad Port, one of the largest deep-water ports in the region, and via Hamad International Airport, one of the most modern airports in the world, have not been affected, the Minister said.

"You can be sure that Qatar will continue to strengthen and promote our business and commercial relationship with the United States," the Foreign Minister told the Chamber audience. "Our bilateral trade with the U.S. has increased by more than 32 percent since 2012 and we expect to see further increases in the coming years."

Sheikh Abdulla Al-Thani provided an update to the business leaders on the $35 billion investment in the US over 5 years pledged in 2015. "We've already invested $26 billion," he said, "and we are looking to invest $10 billion more in the US infrastructure sector." He also indicated that we have strong belief on the fundamentals of the US economy therefore QIA focuses on building a strong partnership and expanding the investment program. Moreover, he also discussed plans to open a QIA office in San Francisco in addition to the one in New York. Signifying that these expansions are a sign of strengthening the Qatar-US relations. The announcement makes QIA one of the few sovereign wealth funds with offices in New York and San Francisco

The event was hosted by Tim Lenderking, Assistant Secretary for Arabian Peninsula Affairs, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the US State Department, who delivered the opening remarks.

Among the participants included Jared Thomas, Director of the Middle East and Africa at Lockheed Martin; Amanda Horan, Vice President of International Government Relations at MetLife; Daeman Harris, Senior Director of Government Affairs at Occidental Petroleum; Michael Hershman, President and Founder of The Fairfax Group; Tom Kelly, Vice President, Foreign Policy & National Security Affairs at Raytheon International; Dr. Raj Singh, Chairman & CEO of Telcom Ventures; Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President for Middle East and Turkey Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce; and Steve Lutes, Executive Director, Middle East at the US Chamber of Commerce.

Disclaimer: Asian Telegraph Qatar do not accept any responsibility for any comment posted on our website. Any comment does not necessarily represent the views of the Asian Telegraph Qatar, unless where specifically stated otherwise. We reserve the right to unpublish, or delete parts or the entirety of any comments that deemed to be non-conducive to the discussion.

© 2024 Asian Telegraph. All Rights Reserved
Powered by PWS
envelopeearthmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram