Qatar and USA always enjoyed strong political and economic ties over the decades. The US is a major trade partner of Qatar and in the last five years the trade volume topped about $24bn.
This trade relation is set to grow further at a much faster pace after the visit of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the US where he was warmly welcomed by the President of the United States Donald Trump.
Coinciding H H the Emir’s visit to the US, a Qatar-US Economic Forum is being organised in different American cities. The first city to host the forum was Miami and then it moved to Washington.
At Washington, the forum witnessed signing of many Memoranda of Understandings (MoU) between the two countries ranging from small and medium enterprises to pharmaceutical industries.
The Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani was present during the signing of MoUs.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and SBDC signed a MoU to share best practices and innovative solutions between the two sides to support small and medium enterprises and to introduce unique and diversified initiatives aimed at assisting Qatari entrepreneurs and qualifying them for the labour market.
QDB also signed a deal with the Venture City in the field of investment services to help promote Qatari companies’ exports to the US market.
ASTAD inked a deal with the leading US airport infrastructure company (AECOM) to identify mutual trading opportunities and enhance joint cooperation in air navigation and infrastructure projects.
Qatari Construction Company and the US company RoadTech signed a MoU to boost cooperation between the two companies in the field of road equipment and the exchange of expertise. And the final one was signed between Qatar Pharma and Dawah Pharmaceutical Industries.
This goes on to prove the economic robustness of Qatar despite the illegal blockade it has been subjected to by the Arab neighbours.
The trust in Qatar’s economy and future growth can also be gauged from the tremendous interest shown by investors to the upcoming dollar bond sale by Qatar.
Qatar is set to raise $12bn in its comeback to the international debt markets. As per news agency reports “orders of around $52bn for the planned bonds are a sign of hefty demand for the bonds.”
The global rating agencies have also given very stable rating and this is reflecting in the investor interest for the Qatar bond despite the siege.
This shows the trust placed by international investors on Qatar and its economy.
