Qatari Delegation Begins Visit to the United States

Washington, January 27 (QNA) - HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani visited the venue of the city center project in Washington DC and was given a detailed explanation by the officials of Qatari Diar in USA. HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who is leading a Qatari delegation currently paying a visit to the United States of America, was accompanied during the visit by HE CEO of Qatar Investment Authority Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani. HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani paid also a visit to Georgetown University, where he met the president of the university. The meeting was attended by HE Minister of Finance Ali Shareef Al Emadi, HE Governor of Qatar Central Bank Sheikh Abdullah Bin Saud Al-Thani, and HE CEO of Qatar Investment Authority Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani. The Qatari delegation also met Tom Price, member of the US House of Representatives and chairman of the House Budget Committee, and discussed with him a number of topics of common interest between the State of Qatar and the United States. HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani along with the Qatari delegation also attended a dinner hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce and the US-Qatar Business Council with more than 250 guests in attendance, including members of the US Congress, senior business officials and HE Qatar's Ambassador to the United States of America Mohammed bin Jaham Al Kuwari. In a welcome speech, HE Minister of Finance Ali Shareef Al Emadi stressed Qatar's keenness on establishing strong partnerships with US companies to enhance the implementation of a range of development projects in Qatar. HE the Minister of Finance noted Qatar's commitment to the implementation of development goals in infrastructure, education and health sectors, saying: "Despite the decline in oil prices, Qatar will continue the path of development and there will be no change in fiscal policy on spending or investment in infrastructure". Nearly $200 billion have been approved for various development projects until 2022, he added. He explained that these allocations would focus on transportation projects and infrastructure, including the railway network, the new port, health, education and sports facilities, including the establishment of 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums. Qatar has important investments in the United States and has plans to increase these investments over the next five years to exceed $35 billion, HE Al Emadi said, adding that these investments are aimed at various economic fields such as energy, technology and real estate. In the meantime, HE the Minister of Finance met a number of students and officials at Georgetown University and the American University in Washington, where he provided an overview of the future vision of the State of Qatar as well as answered their queries. (QNA)