Chicago looks to become ‘Qatar’s best friend in America’

The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) held a business luncheon to raise awareness of the council’s initiatives aimed at linking Qatar and Chicago. The event was attended by a host of representatives from Chicago’s private and public sectors, including some of the city’s most successful business leaders and community organisers.

Kirkland & Ellis, one of Chicago’s leading commercial law firms, hosted the luncheon. Kevin Evanich, a senior partner at Kirkland & Ellis, and Kamran S Bajwa, a partner specialising in the Middle East and emerging markets, introduced the USQBC visitors and were followed by the council’s Heidi Simon.

Ambassador Patrick Theros, president of the US-Qatar Business Council, in his keynote address said, “Qatar is America’s best friend in the Gulf; we want to make Chicago Qatar’s best friend in America.”

He discussed how Qatar is investing its resources all over the world and detailed specific industries that make Chicago an “attractive” investment destination. Additionally, he highlighted the demand for American companies in Qatar – particularly in the sectors of education, law, and medicine.

“Qatar is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in its effort to create a knowledge-based economy. This bold venture will give US companies fantastic opportunities to invest in America’s closest ally in the region,” Theros said.

He also discussed plans for a finance and trade mission from Chicago to visit Qatar next month.

The other speakers included Terry Mazany of the Chicago Community Trust, the second oldest community trust in the US, and Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN).

The US-Qatar Business Council welcomed the opportunity to promote Qatar and the council’s initiatives and programmes to Chicago.