WASHINGTON DC- The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) was honored to host an exclusive evening reception on May 12th, 2025 in Washington, DC on the sidelines of the SelectUSA Investment Summit. The high-level gathering convened senior US and Qatari government officials, business executives, and members of the investment community to discuss expanding bilateral trade and investment. The reception was proudly sponsored by USQBC Oryx Member, LuLu Group International / Y International USA, in celebration of Qatar’s growing economic presence in the United States.
We were especially honored to welcome HE Dr. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of the State of Qatar; HE Saleh bin Majid Al-Khulaifi, Deputy Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development Affairs at the Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Fahad Al Dosari, the Commercial Attaché of the State of Qatar to the United States; and Mr. Thomas Bruns, Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for the Middle East and Africa at the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). Their engagement underscored the growing momentum behind US-Qatar economic collaboration and the drive to build a more dynamic, long-term commercial partnership.
Moe H. Barakat, USQBC Managing Director and Treasurer of the Board of Directors, opened the evening with welcome remarks, emphasizing the strength and resilience of US-Qatar economic ties.
“Our partnership is built on shared values, strategic trust, and an ambitious investment outlook that continues to grow across key US states and sectors,” said Barakat. “We are proud to work with stakeholders on both sides to support a future of shared prosperity.”
He then introduced Thomas Bruns, Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for the Middle East and Africa at the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), who delivered keynote remarks on the growing impact of Qatari investments in the United States.
“Qatari investments in the United States have already made a powerful impact—fueling jobs, innovation, and stronger commercial ties,” said Bruns.
“From Vision 2030 opportunities to Qatari investments across sectors, catalytic capital is helping fuel America's growth. And with the US offering the world’s largest consumer market, a deep culture of innovation, and a rock-solid business environment, there’s no better place to grow your footprint.”
HE Dr. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of the State of Qatar, delivered keynote closing remarks, reaffirming the longstanding strategic partnership between the two nations and offering a preview of what lies ahead.
“Qatar has long regarded the United States as a key strategic partner—across political, security, cultural, and economic dimensions. Our sovereign investments in the US reflect that commitment, and we continue to expand our footprint in major states like New York and California,” said Minister Al-Sayed.
“We are looking forward to President Trump’s upcoming visit to Doha as a fresh chapter in our bilateral engagement. Several significant trade and investment deals will be announced soon, underscoring the strength of our enduring partnership. I was also honored to recently meet with US trade officials to explore avenues to further strengthen our collaboration and address key global trade issues.”
The evening reflected Qatar’s expanding economic footprint in the United States and served as a platform to strengthen commercial partnerships ahead of major announcements expected during the upcoming US presidential visit to Doha.
The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the premier event for promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) into the United States. It connects international investors with US economic development organizations and government officials to explore investment opportunities across a range of industries. Since its inception, the summit has facilitated more than $100 billion in new investment projects, supporting over 150,000 jobs across the United States.
In 2020, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) pledged $45 billion in investments across the US over the coming years. That commitment continues to grow: during President Donald J. Trump’s recent visit to Qatar, a new economic exchange valued at over $1.2 trillion was announced, along with over $243.5 billion in bilateral deals aimed at deepening US-Qatar economic ties.
These landmark agreements include:
A $96 billion purchase by Qatar Airways of up to 210 US-manufactured Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines—the largest widebody and 787 order in Boeing’s history, supporting over 1 million US jobs throughout production and delivery.
A $1 billion investment in quantum technology and workforce development via a joint venture between Quantinuum and Al Rabban Capital.
A suite of defense procurements totaling billions, including Raytheon’s FS-LIDS counter-drone system and General Atomics’ MQ-9B aircraft.
Infrastructure and energy partnerships totaling billions in collaboration with US firms such as McDermott and Parsons.
Qatar has also emerged as a top FDI partner, contributing $3.3 billion in greenfield investments in 2023 across sectors like manufacturing, tourism, IT, financial services, and energy. These investments, many of which are aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, continue to strengthen the US economy, expand trade opportunities, and support thousands of high-skilled American jobs. This growing collaboration, spotlighted at the SelectUSA Summit, reaffirms the US-Qatar economic partnership as a catalyst for shared prosperity and long-term strategic alignment.