(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Seven Qatari businessmen were honoured by the US Ambassador to Qatar Joseph LeBaron for their long-term economic partnerships with US firms in Doha.
The award ceremony took place in the ambassador's residence where more than 160 members of the local business community gathered last night. The ambassador started the ceremony welcoming representatives of the private and public sector partnering with the US.
Last year the awards were only for public sector representatives, while this year the ambassador wanted to stress the importance of the private sector. The seven Qatari business leaders awarded were introduced by Micheal C. Camuez, nominated by President Obama as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance (MAC) within the International Trade Administration. "It's hard to describe the impact of these men on Qatar's society" said Camuez. The first to be awarded was Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Aamal Holdings, for "its robust leadership in securing significant market share for American pharmaceutical, medical, hospitality and express courier service companies" as marked on the crystal momentum given by the ambassador. Hussein Al Fardan, Chairman of Al Fardan Group, was awarded "for its flagship role in elevating American luxury jewelry accessories and pleasure boats in Qatar over the past five decades".
Adel Ali Bin Ali, Chairman of the homonymous Group, Omar Almana, Chairman of Almana Group, were honoured"for championing American education and superior brands in the automotive, information communication technology, and beverage sector", while Jassim Jaidah, Chairman of the Al Jaidah Group, Hassan Kassem Al Darwish Chairman of Darwish group and the General Manager of Mannai Corporation were all awarded with a special mementos.
"There is a palpable sense of progress in this country. I want to thank the Emir of Qatar for what he is doing for the country especially toward the 2022 World Cup and the 2030 vision" said Camuez .
Knowledge and technology transfer and infrastructure are in fact the three sectors in which the US is investing the most in Qatar. David Hamod, President of the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, attended the event. "We started with 15 people in Qatar and now the US companies in Qatar have a business worth a 130bn" said Hamod.
