Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker (centre), with former Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Turki Al Faisal (right), during the 21st Annual Arab-US Policy Makers Conference in Washington, yesterday.
DOHA/ WASHINGTON DC: Aviation has been a key component of the economic backbone of Qatar and Qatar Airways, the country’s national carrier, has been highly instrumental in transforming Doha into an international business destination and a tourist centre, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker told an elite gathering in the US.
Al Baker was speaking at the 21st Annual Arab-US Policy Makers Conference in the US capital on the topics, ‘unprecedented emergence of the aviation sector in the GCC’
Addressing policymakers, students, intelligence officials and governmental leaders, Al Baker spoke of how Qatar Airways was increasingly playing a pivotal role in Qatar’s economic growth.
He said the GCC region stood apart as a powerful base in global aviation, spurring new alliances, international route expansion and uncompromising service standards. The GCC’s draw as a tourist destination and economic hub continued to fuel the region’s unprecedented growth on the world stage, he stressed.
“At Qatar Airways and in Qatar we want to nurture a continuation of the region’s growth. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to link Doha with as many global gateways as possible,” said Al Baker. “We believe that by being a global connector, we act as an enabler; a purveyor of economic growth, bringing people and businesses closer together,” he added.
During his speech, Al Baker earmarked the close relationship Qatar and the GCC countries shared with the US. “US exports to Qatar include aircraft, machinery, cars, trucks and agricultural products, as well as universities with American educational establishments in Qatar. Hundreds of Qataris study at US academic institutions every year, both in campuses in Qatar and across the United States.
“We look forward to even more US investment in Qatar as we move forward with a National Development Strategy which is designed to improve infrastructure, real estate and medical facilities over the next decade and is funded in part from the expanding tourism and conference industry which is made possible, again, by Qatar Airways,” he added.
Al Baker also spoke about Qatar Airways’ involvement in GTL (Gas to Liquids) projects in Doha which will not only support Qatar’s own environmental initiatives, but the entire world since the fuel that will be developed can be exported and used by other airlines.
Other speakers included Mohamed bin Abdulla Al Rumaihi, Ambassador of Qatar to the US; Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, former Saudi Ambassador to the US; and Jose W Fernandez, the current US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs.
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