Q Life Magazine Q Magazine (US) December 2015 | Page 73
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Qatar is an independent state in the southern Arabian Gulf. Diplomatic
relations with the United States were established in 1972; in the same year,
Qatar’s first diplomatic mission in Washington, D.C. opened.
The relationship between the two countries has always been friendly, highly
productive, and reciprocal.
Qatar is home to many Americans, and the United States is both Qatar’s
largest foreign investor and its largest source of imports. Qatar-U.S. relations
are growing continuously in multiple areas: economic, political, military,
educational, and cultural.
Qatar has been increasing its investments in the United States over many
years, creating thousands of jobs across America. These include partnerships
with numerous American companies, such as ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips,
and Raytheon. Qatar has also made notable real estate investments, such as
the CityCenterDC project in Washington, D.C.
From 2011 to 2014, United States exports to Qatar almost doubled from
$2.8 billion to $5.2 billion. Direct investment between Qatar and the United
States has also grown dramatically, with more growth expected following the
Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, opening its first
office in the United States. Qatar plans to invest $35 billion in the United
States over the next five years.
Qatar is a close ally of the United States and a strong advocate of building
a peaceful, prosperous, and stable Middle East. Qatar is committed to
supporting the U.S.-led coalition to defeat terrorists in Syria and Iraq, and
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