Washington: Qatari Ambassador to the US Mohamed Jaham Al Kuwari yesterday met American women experts in political affairs.
During the meeting organised by the Women’s Foreign Policy Group, Al Kuwari highlighted the group’s activities in the fields of education, foreign and training and these were a fine example not only for young women in the US but also girls worldwide.
He referred to similar groups in Qatar such as Qatari Businesswomen Association founded as an economic organization focussing on the advancement of women and appreciation of their contributions to the community. He said the association had launched initiatives such as Qatari Businesswomen Award, Corporate Ambassadors Programme and Qatar International Businesswomen Forum.
Al Kuwari said, “We value and encourage the role played by organisations such as association at the local, regional and international levels as women are an essential element in all sectors — business, education, sports and economy.” He also highlighted economic cooperation between Qatar and the US, noting that Doha sought to diversify its economy to shift from reliance on the energy sector.
He said the Qatari plan includes four objectives to be achieved by 2030 — economic development which will transform Qatar to business hub in the Middle East; social development which will focus on building a large network of social institutions and supporting infrastructure; human development which will provide outstanding higher education and opportunities to apply it effectively and productively; and environmental development which will promote investment in clean technology.
Dr Al Kuwari also talked about investment in the infrastructure of Qatar, explaining that Doha is expected to spend more than $65bn on housing, roads, water systems, airports and shipping facilities. On the long-term strategy of Qatar with respect to investment, he said Qatar will invest in many countries.
“However we welcome foreign investment, notably from the US,” he said, stressing the importance of Qatari-US partnership.
He also shed light on Qatari projects in the US, noting that Qatar donated $100m for relief efforts in New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico to help victims of Hurricane Katrina and recently launched in downtown Washington the ‘City Centre’ project, a $1.5bn pilot development. QNA
