JOSEPH VARGHESE

DOHA PROMINENT Qatari business house Ali Bin Ali has received the prestigious International Achievement in Trade Award for its contribution to fostering the Qatari-US business relations.

The Group has been awarded for its strong performance in promoting American beverages, IT solutions, imaging services, consumer electronics, and fast moving consumer goods for nearly seven decades.

ABA Group Chairman and Qatar Tribune’s Managing Director Adel Ali bin Ali received the award on behalf of the Group on Monday.

US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance Michael Camunez along with US Ambassador to Qatar HE Joseph LeBaron presented the award.

The award recognises Qatari companies that have made significant and long-term contributions to advancing trade between Qatar and the US.

Other Qatari business groups which received the award were Aamal Holdings, Alfardan Group, Almana Group, Almuftah Group, Jaidah Group, Kassem Darwish Fakhro & Sons Group and Mannai Corporation.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune, the ABA Group chairman said that he was delighted and honoured to receive such a prestigious award.

“The Ali Bin Ali Group has very strong and decades-long partnership with a number of American companies and our relationship is getting stronger and stronger every year.

This award has helped boost and cement the relationship between the two countries,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Camunez said that the US was deeply interested in strengthening the relationship with the Arab World, and especially with Qatar.

He said, “I am truly amazed by the progress and development taking place in Qatar.

There is a palpable momentum in Qatar and the successful bidding of FIFA 2022 is proof of it.

It is going to leave a big legacy in the history of Qatar and will be a milestone in its pursuit of becoming a knowledge-based economy.” Ambassador LeBaron said that two delegations from the US are currently visiting Qatar.

He said that both the government delegation led by Camunez, as well as a private business delegation led by Hamod, are meeting both government and private business representatives to explore business opportunities.

Speaking on the occasion, the ambassador said, “The US government is deeply honoured to appreciate the efforts of these business organisations that are the pillars of the economy of Qatar.

They have contributed hugely in strengthening trade relations between the two countries.” Sheikh Faisal bin Qasim al Thani, chairman of Aamal Holdings, Husein al Fardan, chairman of Alfardan Group, Tariq Almana, chief financial officer of Al Mana Group, Abdul Rahman al Muftah Al Muftah Group chairman, Jassim Jaidah, Al Jaidah Group chairman, Hassan Kassem al Darwish Kassem, Darwish Fakhro & Sons Group chairman, and Mohammed Helmy, general manager of Mannai Corporation also received the awards.

Around 150 members of the local business community were present at the award ceremony held at the US ambassador’s residence.

USArab Chamber of Commerce President David Hamod was also present on the occasion.