A general view of participants at the Qatar- US Economic Forum in Miami, US.
DOHA: The Qatar-US Economic Forum in Miami is an ideal platform for exploring the investment opportunities available to both countries through a clear vision that will help boost economic, trade and investment cooperation, said a number of participants at the high-level investment forum.
The participants commended the convening of the Forum and the presentation of projects, as well as the fruitful discussions that took place.
Qatar’s ambassador to the United States, Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani, stressed that the importance of the economic movement lies in the creation of new trade relations between the United States and the State of Qatar and the creation of new partnerships and opportunities for cooperation and investment, which reflects the strength of relations between the two countries.He added that Qatari businessmen can benefit from the economic forum through joint meetings with US businessmen and the investment opportunities available in the United States and Qatar.
Moataz Al Khayat, a businessman, said that the forum provided a bilateral opportunity for businessmen from both sides to develop business in both countries, open up new horizons of work and investment and create new investment opportunities within strategic partnerships between the private sectors in both countries.
Nasser Hassan Al Ansari, a businessman, said that he aspires to create investment opportunities in Florida, specifically in the city of Miami, which is characterized by many real estate projects, adding that the geographical location of the city encouraged investment by Qatari investors.
He said that the forum provided the participants with an opportunity to learn about the experiences that were implemented in Florida, especially in the real estate field, as well as to allow the exchange of expertise and information between investors from both sides, and seek partnerships with American companies in the field of real estate.
For his part, Khaled Al Mannai praised the level of attendance from both sides during the forum, which would provide a chance to review the investment opportunities in both countries, and the acquaintance of businessmen and the private sector from both sides in order to transfer common experiences and reach joint partnerships in all fields.
Al Buenain noted that Qatar Development Bank is also on the small projects and provide the tools for these projects to achieve progress in the markets through facilitating procedures, training and supporting the business environment.
For his part, Rashid Al Quraisi, Head of Marketing at QTA, pointed out that 2017 is a year of challenges in the global tourism sector, stressing the great role played by the State of Qatar in promoting its tourism sector, noting that it has provided a series offers to more than 80 countries around the world and has found a rapid and direct response that has attracted many visiting tourists from India, Russia, South Australia, Africa and Brazil.
Qatar Airways, which flies to more than 150 destinations around the world, has attracted more than 5 million visitors to Hamad International Airport. Millions of visas have been issued with a 26% increase in 2016. In the percent of the cruise tourism (sea) we found a tenfold increase in the proportion of tourists who come by sea vessels, he added.
In the second session, entitled “World Cup 2022, Implementation of Projects, Challenges and Opportunities for US-Qatar Cooperation in Energy, Logistics and Food Security, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Widam Food, Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khayarin said that the company achieved positive results in 2017 through strategic partnerships in importing from a variety of markets. He pointed out that the largest deal was with Australia being one of the largest agricultural countries in the world.
He added that the participation in this forum comes in order to discuss investments in the United States, noting that the company is currently importing from about 87 countries around the world.
The CEO of Widam said that the siege had never affected the company’s progress because the import of frozen meat is done by air freight.
Fahd Al-Kuwari, head of the policy department at the Ministry of Energy and Industry, talked about the history of energy, oil and gas in the State of Qatar, adding that Qatar joined the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) in 1961, one year after the establishment of the Organization.
Al-Kuwari reviewed the most important strengths of the energy and industry sector in the country and its huge potential. He noted that despite the siege imposed on Qatar since about a year, Doha remains committed to its promises because it is a country that respects laws, and conventions.
Mohammed Qasim Al Emadi, representative of Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) gave a presentation at the Qatar-US Economic Forum, explaining Qatar’s hosting of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. He pointed out that the Committee has equipped seven stadiums for the global event including Khalifa International Stadium which was inaugurated in the final of His Highness the Emir’s Cup last May, in addition to Al Wakra, Al Bayt, Al Rayyan, Qatar Foundation, Al Thamma and Ras Abu Aboud.
He noted that the stadiums of the Qatar 2022 World Cup will have a sustainable heritage that serves the State of Qatar and the region after the end of the tournament. He stressed that the SC pays great attention to the welfare of workers and security and safety programs.
Mohammed Al Malki of Manateq said that the company was established in 2013 with the support of the government to create the investment climate in the country. He added that participation in this forum aims to create great investment opportunities between the two countries.
Al-Maliki said that Hamad International Airport and Hamad Port are among the most recently inaugurated facilities and are at the heart of supporting the logistics sector, as well as two areas in the Ras Abu Fontasarea, close to Hamad International Airport and Hamad Port, The company offers opportunities in land, service offices and residential homes.
