QBA explores investment opportunities with Maryland Commerce Secretary

The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) hosted a lunch to welcome the visit of Maryland's Secretary of Commerce, Harry Coker Jr., and his delegation to Qatar. The event aimed to foster economic and investment ties between the Qatari business community and the state of Maryland, as well as to explore potential partnerships. Notable attendees included QBA's Board Member, Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani, and other QBA members, as well as Maryland's Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Ricardo Benn, and CEO of Maryland Technology Development Corporation, Troy LeMaile-Stovall.

Sheikh Nawaf expressed QBA's eagerness to strengthen relationships with US economic institutions and foster direct connections between Qatari investors and American companies. The objective was to convert the robust economic relationship between Qatar and the United States into long-lasting commercial partnerships. Sheikh Nawaf also emphasized the significance of expanding cooperation between private sectors in Qatar and Maryland, with a focus on high-value industries such as technology, healthcare, energy, logistics, and other sectors of mutual interest.

Coker pointed out Maryland's advantageous location in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US East Coast, close to Washington, D.C., and its access to crucial transport and logistics infrastructure, including the Port of Baltimore and a network of airports and highways. This strategic positioning gives businesses and investors access to major East Coast markets.

Maryland also boasts an abundance of research institutions, universities, and specialized science and technology talent, which has cultivated an ecosystem linking scientific research, innovation, and commercial investment. Biotechnology and healthcare were identified as particularly promising areas for cooperation.

Both sides agreed on the importance of building upon these discussions and translating ongoing dialogue into concrete investment projects and business partnerships between private sector companies in Qatar and Maryland. The QBA noted that both regions share sectors aligned with Qatar's economic diversification strategy and investment in a knowledge-based economy.

Following the meeting, both parties expressed their intention to maintain communication and coordination, set up mechanisms to monitor the discussed opportunities, and ultimately strengthen economic and investment ties between Qatar and Maryland.