Qatar's Ambassador to the US Visits Central Florida

Washington, DC — Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States, Ambassador Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, traveled to Central Florida, including Orlando and Tampa, to meet with the State’s economic development programs and private sector. While in Florida, the Ambassador met with the Mayor of Orange County, Ms. Teresa Jacobs, and the Mayor of Orlando, Mr. Buddy Dyer. During these meetings they discussed stronger bilateral ties between the State of Florida and the State of Qatar. Ambassador Sheikh Meshal and his delegation were hosted by the Orlando Economic Partnership. Organizations represented included the Orange County Government, the Central Florida International Trade Office, Enterprise Florida, and the Orlando US Export Assistance Center. The delegation was also hosted for a luncheon with senior executives from Central Florida’s private sector at the National Entrepreneur Center. Visit Orlando hosted the delegation to their offices with government officials and senior executives to discuss the city and state’s tourism promotion. Lockheed Martin, a member of the Council, welcomed the delegation to their Innovation Demonstration Center, based in Orlando. Lockheed Martin works closely with the State of Qatar to enhance their defense and security. The delegation also visited Lake Nona Medical City, a state of the art smart city near Orlando. The trip was coordinated by the US-Qatar Business Council’s (USQBC), and Ambassador Sheikh Meshal was accompanied by Mr. Fahad Al Nuaimi, Economic Counselor at the Embassy of the State of Qatar, and Mr. Mohammed Barakat, Managing Director of the US-Qatar Business Council. “It was important for Ambassador Sheikh Meshal to visit Florida and showcase the great things the State of Qatar can do there,” said Mr. Barakat “the Council hopes to support stronger bilateral business ties between the State of Qatar and the State of Florida in the future.”