Doha, October 04 (QNA) - The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) discussed investment opportunities and partnership prospects between the private sectors of both countries with HE Secretary of Commerce for the US state of Maryland Harry Coker Jr., and his accompanying delegation, who is visiting the country.

HE QBA Board Member Sheikh Nawaf Nasser bin Khaled Al-Thani emphasized the QBA's commitment to developing relations with economic institutions and the business community in the United States. He highlighted efforts to establish direct channels between Qatari investors and American companies, thereby helping to translate the outstanding economic ties between the State of Qatar and the United States into increased investments and long-term commercial partnerships.

His Excellency underscored the importance of expanding cooperation between the private sectors of the State of Qatar and the State of Maryland, particularly in high-value-added sectors, while exploring investment and partnership opportunities in technology, healthcare, energy, logistics, and other areas of mutual interest.

For his part, HE Harry Coker emphasized that the state of Maryland enjoys a strategic location in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, close to Washington, D.C., and possesses transportation and logistics infrastructure that includes the Port of Baltimore and a network of airports and roads, thereby providing companies and investors with access to key markets along the US East Coast.

He also noted that the state of Maryland is distinguished by a significant presence of research institutions, universities, and specialized expertise in the fields of science and technology, factors that have contributed to building an ecosystem integrating scientific research, innovation, and commercial investment.

HE the Secretary of Commerce for the US state of Maryland pointed out that biotechnology and healthcare represent key areas for potential collaboration, as the state hosts a significant cluster of companies and research institutions specializing in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health, and biomanufacturing, in addition to its proximity to major US federal research and regulatory agencies.

Both sides stressed the significance of fostering direct business-to-business communication, exchanging trade delegations, and highlighting available investment opportunities and incentives. They also underscored the need to identify projects in which the Qatari private sector could participate as an investment partner, while simultaneously supporting companies from Maryland that wish to leverage Qatar as a gateway for expanding into regional markets.

They also expressed their aspiration to continue communication and coordination in the coming period, and to work on establishing practical mechanisms to follow up on the discussed opportunities, thereby contributing to the strengthening of economic and investment relations and opening new horizons for the private sector. (QNA)