Qatar’s ambassador to the United States, Mohamed Jaham al-Kuwari, yesterday stressed the importance of US-Qatari relations, especially in defence and security co-operation.
He reiterated the importance of co-ordinating efforts between the two countries to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, which is witnessing a period of great transformation.
During a reception held by Qatar’s embassy in the Qatari Diar’s investment City Center DC, al-Kuwari said the US-Qatar partnership includes strategic, economic and cultural sectors, stressing Qatar’s keenness to explore basic sectors in the US economy in order to expand its portfolio investments.
Addressing a number of Mayors of US Cities led by Mayor of the District of Columbia, Muriel Bowser, on the sidelines of the 85th US Conference of Mayors held in the US capital, al- Kuwari praised the Qatari partnership with the US capital, describing Qatari investments in Washington as the culmination of a long-term relationship.
Over the past years, the US companies have increased their investments in Qatar, including a wide range of economic sectors comprising infrastructure, transportation, sports facilities, healthcare, technology, tourism and energy development, al-Kuwari said.
In this context, al-Kuwari referred to the recent signing of a trade and investment agreement between the two countries as a bridge between them, pointing out that the donations made by the Qatar Katrina Fund have contributed with more than $100mn in reconstruction projects in New Orleans and neighbouring cities.
He also pointed out that there are thousands of Qatari students in universities in more than 20 US cities, noting that the Doha’s Education City hosts six American universities, along with world-renowned global research centres, institutes and international conferences.
Qatar hosts the 5th Annual Arab Future Cities Summit 2016 aimed at exploring the prospects for sustainable urban development in the region, al-Kuwari said, calling on US mayors to expand horizons of co-operation in this regard.
He also highlighted the expansion of Qatar Airways network in US to include 8 destinations, noting that cities are not only linked by transportation and communications, but also through shared values and principles.
In this regard, al-Kuwari stressed that Qataris are united with the world through the spirit of global citizenship.
For her part, Baltimore Mayor and president of the conference, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, thanked ambassador al-Kuwari for his initiative and also thanked the State of Qatar for its US investments, urging Qatar to explore her hometown of Baltimore.
While, Mayor of the District of Columbia, Muriel Bowser, praised Qatari Diar’s investment City Center DC which has revived the heart of Washington DC, as an economic power, created jobs and therefore reflected the city’s prosperity.