US-QATAR business council

December 18th marked Qatar's celebration of National Day, commemorating the unification of Qatar under the rule of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani and the recognition by Bahrain's Al Khalifah dynasty of the end to claims over Qatari sovereignty.

Ambassador Theros was a Co-Chairman at Pave the Way Foundation's 2011 Gala Awards Dinner on November 14, 2011. The Gala brought together hundreds of prominent religious leaders, politicians, business, and civic leaders, all dedicated to the mission the Foundation.

Pave the Way Foundation is a non-sectarian organization, whose mission is to promote cultural, educational, charitable and technological gestures, and to identify and eliminate non-theological obstacles between the faiths. They use their earned international respect, to "pave the way" towards ending violence and the misuse of religion.

The proceeds from the gala benefited the Foundation.

 The US-Qatar Business Council sponsored a reception hosted at the residence of the Honorable Susan Ziadeh, American Ambassador to Qatar, on October 30th in honor of the visiting Department of Commerce Multi-Modal Trade Mission. Commerce Under-Secretary Francisco Sanchez and Transportation Department Assistant Secretary Susan Kurland led the Mission which will also visit the UAE. The fourteen American companies that participated in the Mission -- including USQBC members the Boeing Company and Herzog -- aim to capitalize on Qatar’s projected one hundred billion dollar plus infrastructure program that is planned in anticipation of the 2022 World Cup.

The US-Qatar Business Council, along with the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, hosted its 2nd Annual Islamic Finance Forum at George Washington University - Law School.

This year, the Forum took an advanced look at Islamic Financing and familiarized the broad audience with Shari'ah - compliant financing. With an esteemed panel from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and a well-recognized lawyers and bankers, the Forum illustrated how Islamic Financing can be an incentive to the development of economic ties between the United States and the Middle East.

Qatari Infrastructure Delegation
Visits the United States

Washington DC - At a breakfast for more than 100 U.S. business leaders, a high-level delegation of senior officials from Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) highlighted that agency’s upcoming megaprojects as the country prepares to host the 2022 World Cup. H.E. Nasser Ali Al-Mawlawi, President of Ashghal, noted, "We are really looking forward to all the different entities within the United States participating in this development of infrastructure in Qatar." 

To Learn More, read the Press Release.
To see more pictures, visit our Facebook page.

Breakfast
  with Courtney Erwin and Reem Al Khalifa from
 Education Above All
Also Attended:
John Gregg from Sheikha Mozah’s office

The US – Qatar Business Council hosted a breakfast for an important organization recently established by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned of Qatar. Education Above All (EAA) is an independent non-governmental organization concerned with a single policy area: protecting education from attack. Courtney Erwin and Reem Al-Khalifa from EAA held the discussion at the USQBC Headquarters on September 30th at 8:30 AM. 

 The US-Qatar Business Council Hosted a Luncheon
Sponsored by Qatar Airways
In Honor of Ambassador Joseph LeBaron
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Army Navy Club
 

The U.S. - Qatar Business Council and the Arab Bankers Association of North America, in collaboration with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, hosted an inaugural Islamic Finance Forum on July 28, 2010 at the the George Washington Law School.

Photo Credits - Reggie Lipscomb; Noble Pros

Islamic Finance Forum - Welcoming Remarks

The U.S. - Qatar Business Council and the Arab Bankers Association of North America, in collaboration with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, hosted an inaugural Islamic Finance Forum on July 28, 2010 at the the George Washington Law School.

Welcoming Remarks

Ambassador Patrick Theros
President of the U.S. Qatar Business Council
Dr. Susan Karamanian
Associate Dean of the GWU Law School

Mr. Nagy Kolta
Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Abu Dhabi International Bank and ABANA Board Member

Dr. Jean-Francois Seznec
Visiting Associate Professor at Georgetown University's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
 

 The U.S. - Qatar Business Council and the Arab Bankers Association of North America, in collaboration with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, hosted an inaugural Islamic Finance Forum on July 28, 2010 at the the George Washington Law School.

Professor Frank Vogel
An Introduction to Islamic Law and Islamic Finance

The U.S. - Qatar Business Council and the Arab Bankers Association of North America, in collaboration with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, hosted an inaugural Islamic Finance Forum on July 28, 2010 at the the George Washington Law School.

Mr. Umar F. Moghul
The Compatibility of Shariah Compliant Institutions and the United States Law and Regulations  

 The U.S. - Qatar Business Council and the Arab Bankers Association of North America, in collaboration with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, hosted an inaugural Islamic Finance Forum on July 28, 2010 at the the George Washington Law School.

Mr. Aamir A. Rehman
Shariah Financial Regulation and Practice in the GCC


 The U.S. - Qatar Business Council and the Arab Bankers Association of North America, in collaboration with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, hosted an inaugural Islamic Finance Forum on July 28, 2010 at the the George Washington Law School.

Shaykh Yusuf Talal deLorenzo 

Derivative Instruments in Shariah Compliant and The Development of the Sukkuk in the Gulf

 The U.S. - Qatar Business Council and the Arab Bankers Association of North America, in collaboration with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, hosted an inaugural Islamic Finance Forum on July 28, 2010 at the the George Washington Law School.

Dr. Ibrahim Warde
Islamic Finance in Light of the Recent Financial Crisis

Due to technical difficulties, this video is not yet available

William and Mary Students Discuss Global Economy with U.S.-Qatar Business Council

The students of the College of William and Mary’s Summer Business Institute visited the U.S.-Qatar Business Council on Thursday, May 27th. The collection of rising juniors and seniors from the College made up a small class of 12 students, studying Global Business Strategy for an intensive two weeks before launching into internships in the D.C. Metro area. Although few students had extensive prior knowledge of Qatar’s history, society and business relations with the United States, the discussion with Ambassador Theros proved to be extensive.

Initially, Ambassador Theros provided the students with a brief history of Qatar, dating back to Alexander the Great and extending through the British occupation and the discovery of oil following World War II. This would lead to discussion regarding the policies of the current Emir and his current wife, whom the Ambassador referred to as “visionary.” Currently Qatar devotes very little spending to defense and instead pours this funding into alliances, education and local development. Education was a particularly fascinating topic to the young American students, who were very impressed by the Qatari efforts to import high quality education from American universities. With Cornell providing a medical school, VCU teaching Art & Design and Carnegie Mellon faculty instructing on Information Technology, Qatar has brought top educators into the country to provide access to knowledge for any qualified Qatari student.

Furthermore, the progress that Qatar has made in improving the infrastructure of their country astounded every student present. The statistics alone show enormous growth over the last few decades. The Qatari people progressed from a population with a 90% mortality rate before the age of 5, to becoming a growing and successful population of 1.7 million people. The infrastructure can barely keep pace with the growing needs of its population.

Of particular interest to the students were the biggest issues in global business between American and Qatari citizens. Although the William and Mary students were well-versed in American business practices, Ambassador Theros pointed out several cultural differences that hinder U.S. companies doing business in Qatar. Qatari businesses are often less likely to do long-range business, and prefer for potential business partners to set up an office in Qatar to build personal relationships. However, once the Qatari businesses have established a connection, they are extremely likely to repeat their business with the same firm. The students also hit upon another challenge for Qatari-American business connections: the tragic events of 9/11. Although almost a decade later, the mistrust that spawned from this national tragedy still haunts Qatari businessmen and women who seek to expand into the American market.

Although already infamous for its frequently mispronounced name, Qatar and its incredible economic progress will continue to impact American business for years to come and hopefully become another household name in the global economy. 

Over 250 guests including members of congress, current and retired ambassadors, and Business Council members joined Tim Sebastian on March 26th to celebrate the Doha Debates at a USQBC reception in Washington, DC. Ambassador Theros greeted guests and introduced them to Mr. Sebastian and Qatar Foundation and Doha Debates staff members who also attended. In a brief statement, Mr. Sebastian lauded the success of the Debates which took place at Georgetown University marking the first time the debates were held in front of a primarily American audience. From 6-10PM guests enjoyed dinner and the opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation with Mr. Sebastian and other prominent attendees in the Newseum’s dramatic reception hall overlooking the Capitol.

On March 20th the US-Qatar Business Council and the Middle East Institute proudly hosted the founder and moderator of the Doha Debates Tim Sebastian and a panel of speakers including USQBC President Ambassador Patrick Theros, MEI President Ambassador Wendy Chaimberlain, Professor Shibley Telhami of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution and Dr. Hani Findakly of MEI.

Army Navy Club
May 14

The USQBC was pleased to host Ambassador LeBaron on the 14th of May at the Army Navy Club for a luncheon. Ambassador LeBaron gave a detailed presentation about the State of Qatar, its resources, education, healthcare and future to the audience of USQBC members. Despite the global economic struggle Ambassador LeBaron believes that Qatar is continuing to strengthen its position as an economic, social and political force. The council presented the Ambassador with a plaque acknowledging his support and dedication to the Council and the US-Qatar bilateral relationship.