International Focus Magazine Vol. 2, #11 | Page 36

living
Qatar’s Contributions:
DID YOU KNOW?
A
Although geographically slightly
smaller than Connecticut, Qatar
has a population of about 2.6 mil-
lion. In comparison, the popula-
tion of Greater Houston Area has
a population of about 2.3 million.
Doha, the ultramodern capital of
Qatar, is the home of about 80%
of the population. And, Qatar is
rich, yes - very, very rich. As the
world’s richest country based
on its GDP per capita, they own
Harrods in London, are the larg-
est shareholder in Sainsbury’s,
and co-own Miramax Films after
purchasing it from Disney with
a group of investors. They have
invested around the world to re-
duce their exposure to oil prices.
For more information, see https://
www.theguardian.com/glob-
al/2013/jun/25/qatar-12-things-
you-need-to-know.
This article focuses on a few of
Qatar’s contributions to our life-
style, business, and culture. For
example, did you know?
36 iF Magazine | December 2017
The Consulate-General of Qatar has
offices in Houston, New York, Los
Angeles, and an embassy in Washing-
ton, D.C. The United States maintains
an embassy in Doha. The United
States and Qatar established diplo-
matic relations in 1972 after Qatar
gained its independence from the
United Kingdom. Since the opening
of the U.S. embassy in Doha in March
1973, they have expanded bilateral
relations and coordinate closely on
Middle Eastern regional diplomatic
initiatives to increase security in the
Persian Gulf. (For more information,
see https://qa.usembassy.gov/our-
relationship/policy-history/)
• “U.S. imports from Qatar include
fertilizer, aluminum and liquefied
natural gas.”
• “Qatari commercial relations have
created thousands of American
jobs.”
• Both countries belong to United
Nations, International Monetary
Fund, World Bank, and the World
Trade Organization.
2. What are some of the Qatari
contributions to lifestyle in the U.S?
• Qatari lifestyle has adapted to the
U.S. work schedule. Although tra-
ditionally the main meal is eaten at
midday, the lifestyle is adapting to
eat the main meal in the evening
1. What are some of Qatar’s
with the family.
contributions to trade and business?
• Arabian coffee is central to the
According to the U.S. Embassy in
cuisine.
Qatar website, the United States is • As in Qatar, Qatari women use
the largest foreign investor in Qatar’s
drive-through and delivery ser-
Oil and Gas sector. Qatar and U.S.
vices of restaurants to avoid eating
bilateral trade exceeded $5 billion in
in public places.
2015. Here are a few highlights:
• Qatari men at times socialize and
• “U.S. exports to Qatar include air-
do business in coffeehouses and
craft, vehicles, electrical machinery
restaurants.
and equipment, optical and medi- • Pork and alcohol are strictly pro-
cal instruments, and pharmaceuti-
hibited in their religion.
cal products.”