Officials pose for a group photo during the event.
Doha: The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development in the Government of the District of Columbia (DMPED) hosted a luncheon to discuss economic collaboration opportunities between the State of Qatar and the District of Columbia.
John Falcicchio, Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development in the Government of the District of Columbia; Fahad Al Dosari, The State of Qatar Commercial Attaché to the United States; Mohammed Barakat, Managing Director and Treasurer of the Board of Directors, US-Qatar Business Council; Andres Hayes, Director of International Trade and Commerce, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in the Government of the District of Columbia delivered remarks during the event.
“Under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, we have worked extremely close with the Embassy and USQBC to enhance further the bilateral economic relationship with the State of Qatar,” said Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio. “Today we are happy to collaborate with leaders from Qatari companies and discuss opportunities to continue to invest in each other’s success.”
“The State of Qatar looks forward to strengthening commercial relations with the District of Columbia,” said Fahad Al Dosari, The State of Qatar Commercial Attaché to the United States.
“Qatar is one of the best places in the world to do business and we see many business synergies with the District of Columbia including healthcare/life science, ICT & cybersecurity, fintech, and sports & entertainment.”
“The State of Qatar and its citizens have increasingly invested in more projects across the United States. They have chosen and added value to high quality investments in top tier locations, such as the CityCenterDC project, which is a frequented destination for residents of the District of Columbia.
The best is yet to come, as there are many untapped commercial & trade opportunities between the District of a Columbia and The State of Qatar yet to be explored.”
“US-Qatar Business Council stands ready to assist companies from the District of Columbia expand their business in Qatar,” said Mohammed Barakat, the Managing Director and Treasurer of the Board of Directors at the US-Qatar Business Council.
“We foresee great demand for products and services from DC’s companies in Qatar, especially in the technology, fintech, and sports sectors.”
“We are delighted to work with the Embassy of the State of Qatar and organizations like USQBC to continue to promote trade between the City and County,” said Andres Hayes, Director of International Trade and Commerce for the Government of the District of Columbia.
“We are looking forward to additional bilateral trade opportunities in key sectors.”
The luncheon took place at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse inside the CityCenterDC project, a Qatari-owned real estate investment by Qatari Investment Authority’s subsidiary Qatari Diar.
This $650m redevelopment of the old convention center site in Washington, DC is now known as CityCenterDC, the landmark 10-acre, mixed-use development located in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Qatari Diar and Hines, the international real estate firm, and Conrad Hotels & Resorts by Hilton Worldwide, also partnered on the construction of the Conrad Washington, DC. This is a 360-room luxury hotel with 30,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space also located inside the CityCenterDC project.
The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the State of Qatar.
This milestone signifies the longevity and strength of the bilateral ties between the two countries. The United States and Qatar have established a solid base for distinguished regional and international political relations, in addition to deep commercial, security, and cultural partnerships.
In recognition of this special partnership, following the January 31 visit by Qatar’s Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the White House, President Joseph R Biden designated Qatar as a “Major Non-NATO Ally” to the United States.
