US ambassador Dana Shell Smith discussed Qatari-American relations at a forum in Washington, DC, recently.
The third annual “Ambassadors Economic and Commercial Forum” was co-hosted by the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce and the US Department of State.
The event brought together 11 American ambassadors stationed in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) and eight Arab counterparts assigned to the US. More than 400 business leaders attended the event held at the US State Department to hear the ambassadors, including Smith, discuss the opportunities and challenges of doing business in the
Mena region.
“Our relationship (with Qatar) is strong on many levels - militarily, economically and strategically, areas critical to our shared interests in promoting stability, peace and prosperity in the Middle East,” said ambassador Smith.
In addition to citing close military and educational partnerships, she praised the depth of the bilateral relationship and the Qatari leadership for the plans to develop Qatar into a “knowledge-based economy” – a hub of education, research and technical innovation that can guarantee Qatar’s long-term economic security and sustainability.
Further, she stressed bilateral trade and investment successes. US companies exported $5.174bn in goods to Qatar in 2014 with over 120 US companies operating there. In January this year, Qatar announced its intent to invest over $35bn in the US over the next five years.
During her remarks, Smith also noted: “As a valuable partner to the US, Qatar has played an influential role in the region through a period of great transformation.”