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The
Qatari Businessmen Association hosted a business luncheon
preceded by a private meeting in honor of the visit of H.E.
Francisco Sanchez the U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for
International Trade and his accompanying official and business
delegation, at QBA’s second deputy chairman’s majlis Sheikh
Khalid Bin Thani Al Thani.
QBA was headed by Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani the chairman
accompanied by QBA board members: Sheikh Khalid Bin Thani Al
Thani, Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Al Thani, Mr. Abdullah Bin Nasser
Al Misnad and Mr. Omar Bin Hamad Al Manaa, and the presence QBA
members: Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani, Mr. Khalid Al Mannai,
Mr. Maqbool Habib Khalfan and Mr. Salah Murad.
The U.S. business delegation included 15 CEO’s and presidents of
companies focusing on healthcare and water & waste management,
including the following services and equipments and
technologies: hospital and clinical laboratories equipments,
pharmaceuticals, health care technologies, public health,
hospital’s construction and design, IT software.
During the meeting the undersecretary Sanchez explained the
mission’s objectives in introducing major U.S companies and
private buying agents and other potential business partners. The
U.S undersecretary also stressed the importance of the Qatari
Market for U.S investors as it is one of fastest growing
economies in the world, pointing on the increase of U.S exports
by 580% between the period from 2000 – 2008 making the United
States the largest import partner to Qatar. And in 2008 Qatar
was the largest partner in the Middle East.
QBA’s chairman Shk. Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani welcomed the
delegates to Doha saying this is the right time for businessmen
and private sector representatives of both countries to enhance
the cooperation and further interact as the commercial relations
between Qatar and the U.S are witnessing excellent growth,
indicating that the bilateral trade volume grew by over 340%
between 2003 and 2008 to a total of over 3.2 billion per year.
Shk. Faisal also explained QBA’s role to the delegation in
facilitating the communication and cooperation between business
societies in both countries and saying we are ready to offer all
services in the aim of promoting further business interaction
and assisting potential investors to invest in the Qatari
Market.
At the end of the meeting, the undersecretary Sanchez conveyed
his gratitude and appreciation for QBA’s chairman in organizing
the meeting and Shk. Khalid for hosting it and invited QBA
members to visit the United States and discover closely business
opportunities.
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