Visit of US Assistant Secretary of Commerce
The Second Deputy to the Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association, Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, held a business lunch in honor of the visit of U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Mr. Michael Camunez, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Ziadeh, U.S. Ambassador in the State of Qatar, in his majles in Al Gharafa.
H.E. Mr. Michael Camunez is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance within the International Trade Administration, and has been nominated by President Barack Obama to occupy his current position, which is responsible for supporting the President’s economic recovery agenda, by helping the Commerce Department efforts to create American jobs through the National Export Initiative.
The delegation was received by First Deputy to QBA Chairman Mr. Hussein Alfardan and Second Deputy Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, QBA board members Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani, Mr. Sherida Al-Kaabi, and members, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah bin Thani Al-Thani, Dr. Hussein Al Abdullah, Mr. Mutaz Al-Rafie, Mr. Salah Mohamad Al Jaidah, Mr. Siraj Al Baker, Mr. Khalid Mannai, Mr. Nabil Abu Issa, Mr. Maqbool Habib Khalfan, Mr. Ali Abdul Reda Al Mashhadi, in addition to Ms. Sarah Abdullah, Deputy General Manager of QBA, Mr. Abdul Basit Shaibi, General Manager of Qatar International Islamic Bank, Mr. Ali Bin Mohammed Al Obaidli, CEO and board member of Tadawul Holding Group.
H.E. Mr. Michael Camunez, praised the major development in the construction and infrastructure sectors that Qatar has witnessed since his last visit in June 2011, which marked an optimistic impact on him given the abundant future projects to be implemented. This impact has portrayed the Qatari’s sincerity in developing the country and achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. Mr. Michael additionally hoped that American companies can take part and participate in Qatar’s projects that will be implemented in preparation to the World Cup 2022.
On the other hand, the Qatari’s side spoke about strengthening the economic relation and promoting bilateral ties between the two countries through the development of joint projects, financing investments in both countries, and benefiting from the experiences of Americans in various fields. In addition, increasing the number of American students in Qatar universities is of great importance in order to share their foreign mentality and help them open up to the world, especially since the students of today are the men of the future.
At the end of the visit, H.E. Mr. Michael Camunez thanked Sheikh Khaled Al Thani, and the distinguished guests, for hosting this lunch and invited them to visit the U.S., as it is rich in investment opportunities and business possibilities in various fields. He also expressed his willingness to help support projects and strengthen relations between the two countries. In this context, he also thanked the efforts of the U.S. Embassy in the development of U.S. relations with Qatar and supporting the U.S. community in residing here.
It is worth mentioning that the U.S. investments in Qatar are expected to exceed U.S $ 8 billion at the end of 2012, especially in the energy sector. Moreover the trade relations have also seen a remarkable growth during the last five years 2006-2011, where U.S. imports increased by 119%, reaching U.S. $ 2.7 billion in 2011, making the U.S the largest import partner for Qatar, and is expected to rise further to U.S reach $ 6 billion in 2013.