Fest brings ‘best of American innovation, culture to Qatar’

The US embassy is hosting the 2018 Discover America Festival, bringing the “best of American innovation and culture to Qatar”.  The festival features a week of events to explore American innovation, fashion, business, music, consumer products, food and films, the embassy has said in a statement. All events are open to the public, and the US embassy is hosting a variety of events until November 4 as part of the festival. A full schedule of events is available on https://qa.usembassy.gov/daf2018.“After more than 45 years of friendship and partnership, relations between the United States and Qatar have never been stronger,” the statement notes. “More than $62bn worth of goods and services has flowed between the two countries in the past 20 years. The US continues to be Qatar’s largest foreign direct investor and largest trading partner. And US-Qatar commercial ties only continue to grow, increasing by more than 85% during the first nine months of 2018 as compared to the same period of time in 2017.”Nearly 40,000 Qataris visit the US every year, 15,000 of them travelling on student visas. Also, the United States continues to increase its commercial presence, with more than 100 US-based companies located in Qatar, the embassy said.For the fashionable crowd, Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition featured – until yesterday – the debut of US designer and celebrity favourite Tosca NY. Also, Qatar Airways has launched special promotions to 10 US destinations, while LuLu Hypermarket Group is featuring special promotions on American food favourites and brands.Eight hotels in Doha are featuring American cuisine in specially crafted menus. These include Everything is Bigger in Texas at InterContinental Doha – The City, Santa Monica Breakfast Club at Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas, Hudson’s Tavern at Mondrian Doha, Astor Grill at The St Regis Doha, Aramede Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park, Misturado Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park, New York Steakhouse at Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel, Irish Harp at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, and Discover America at the Pool Grill at Four Seasons Doha. All menus are available at https://qa.usembassy.gov/daf2018For film lovers, the US embassy in Qatar is partnering with Doha Film Institute to present the ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ series. Those interested can enjoy a line-up of four American films to entertain the whole family at the Museum of Islamic Art Park and enjoy the cooler evenings. The screenings, taking place from tomorrow until November 4, are for free and begin at 7pm.On November 3, there will be a performance by an American band performing pop and rock favourites on Mall of Qatar’s Ooredoo Stage at 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.Also, a live Twitter chat was held yesterday for future investors keen on doing business and investing in the US.“Come and experience American films and music, and discover new opportunities to partner with American businesses in Qatar and abroad. Find out what is going on during the 2018 Discover America Festival and let others know how you are enjoying the festival by using #DAinQatar and #USQatar in your tweets and Instagram posts,” the statement adds.The US embassy can be followed on Twitter @USEmbassyQatar, on Facebook @USEmbassyQatar and on Instagram @USAinQatar for latest updates on the festival.