CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Business / Qatar Business

32 Qatari businesses, government officials expand US trade ties

Published: 17 May 2023 - 07:53 am | Last Updated: 17 May 2023 - 08:01 am
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey with US Deputy Chief of Mission in Qatar Natalie Baker and delegation members.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey with US Deputy Chief of Mission in Qatar Natalie Baker and delegation members.

The Peninsula

The US Embassy in Qatar led a trade delegation of 32 Qatari officials, companies, and business organisations to the 2023 SelectUSA Investment Summit, May 2023, in National Harbor, Maryland, United States of America.

The Qatari delegation had the unique opportunity to meet 16 governors, state and local representatives, and economic development organisation officials from 55 US states and territories, further strengthening the economic ties between Qatar and the United States.  This was the largest Investment Summit to date, with record levels of attendance and engagement from a wide range of American businesses, 4,900+ attendees, 83 international markets, and 21 chiefs of mission.

US Ambassador to Qatar Timmy T Davis said: “The Qatari delegation to SelectUSA doubled in size to nearly 40 participants this year and was also the most diverse delegation from the Gulf region.  Qatari companies and officials clearly see tremendous opportunity in the United States, a hub of innovation and the world’s largest market for goods and services.  US Embassy Doha is here to assist any Qatari entity that wants to be part of our countries’ strong and growing two-way investment ties.” 

The annual SelectUSA Investment Summit is the highest-profile event dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment in the United States, with more than 4,000 attendees, including 1,900+ foreign investors, 80+ markets represented, and 52+ US states and territories participating.

The Summit provides a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with US economic development organizations and explore potential investment opportunities across the United States.

US Deputy Chief of Mission in Qatar Natalie Baker, who led the Qatari delegation to SelectUSA, said: “Senior Department of Commerce officials and governors and representatives from across America were delighted to meet our delegation, which in turn benefited greatly from exploring the breadth and diversity of untapped investment opportunities across the United States.  Qatari companies and investors already do business in many American communities, from California to South Carolina, but are ready to grow into new markets.”

The delegation heard directly from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Secretary of State Blinken, Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana, Governor of Oklahoma Kevin Stitt, Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Arizona Katie Hobbs, and Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts, among other US leaders and officials.

Participants in the Qatar delegation in the private companies were Al Talib Qatar Shipping and Land Transport, Danem Engineering Works, Deluxe Trading & Services WLLm Design Creationz, Lulu Group International/Y International USA, Traffic Management Solutions

The government entities included Barzan Holdings, Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States, Investment Promotion Agency Qatar, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar Free Zones Authority, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. And also trade associations, US-Qatar Business Council.