QNA
Washington
Senior Vice President of Middle East and Turkey at the US Chamber of Commerce Khush Choksy has praised the strength of bilateral relations between the US and Qatar, pointing out that the next strategic economic dialogue will create a plan for future enhancement of commercial cooperation in the digital economy, energy, logistic transport, and supply chains.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Choksy said that the participation of His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the 77th session of the UNGA reflects the increasingly important role of Qatar in the global community.
He believed that HH the Amir’s speech will address current developments, especially the energy security issues.
Choksy highlighted Qatar’s huge role in mediation which emerged in Afghanistan, as well as its key roles in other issues such as Palestine and Iran, stressing that these roles enhanced the trust between the US and Qatar.
In this context, Choksy said that Qatar is perceived as a strong, reliable, and dependable ally as it played a very important role in maintaining air transport and logistics across the globe during COVID-19 pandemic. Choksy noted the importance of the economic and commercial relations between the two countries in many ways, if not more important than the political and security ties because they are broader and engaged with a number of linkages between Qatari businesses and American companies.
The economic and commercial ties cover a broad range of areas from the digital economy to sports entertainment, health, manufacturing, Qatar Free Zone, and Qatar Financial Center.
He indicated that the US Chamber of Commerce has very good relations with Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association, adding that the US Chamber of Commerce has very robust close working relations centered around the enhancement of the bilateral commercial relationships.
He pointed out the importance of the strategic and economic dialogue between Qatar and the US and its role in developing relations between the two countries, expressing his aspiration for the success of the next dialogue to be hosted by Doha.
He added that the US looks for deep and broad relations, as they will seek during the 2023 strategic economic dialogue to create a plan for future enhancement of commercial cooperation in the digital economy, energy, logistic transport, and supply chains, pointing out that the US Chamber of Commerce plans to participate with a delegation in the dialogue.
The Vice President of Middle East and Turkey at the US Chamber of Commerce sees that the growing financial sector in Qatar and the new insurance law provide American companies an opportunity for further collaboration.
In addition, Choksy noted the development of sports health in Qatar, noting that he discussed with several Qatari officials during his recent visit to Doha, opportunities to expand cooperation after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
In this context, he said Qatar is increasingly becoming a sports wellness center. Even NBA athletes have travelled to Doha to undergo different types of sports surgeries. The future is extremely well as you look at the next 50 years between the US and Qatar.
Concerning the main issues on the 77th UNGAs Agenda, Choksy said that he believes that General Assembly will certainly focus on the major global crises that we are facing today, the war in Ukraine, energy prices, and climate.
On the US designating Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, he said this will make the bilateral relationships even closer, and stronger, and increase codependences.