Qatar Officials Tour the Research Triangle

As out-of-market talent and qualified graduates continue to pour into Wake County, the need for a diverse business ecosystem continues to grow. While the Research Triangle region’s job economy has long been stoked by industry convergence and collaboration, civic and business leaders from across the globe are targeting the Research Triangle region for future growth. In a recent visit to Raleigh, Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani, met with leaders throughout the business community to explore areas of partnership as the country looks to diversify its economic strategy.

According to an article from Gulf Times, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed stressed the multitude of opportunities for cooperation between Qatar and North Carolina, including trade, investment, and job creation. Alongside government officials, the delegation from Qatar included dozens of Qatari business owners as a part of their “economic roadshow” in the U.S. Exhibitors highlighted successful collaboration campaigns between U.S. and Qatari companies in the past and the potential for future collaboration.

Kathleen Henry, economic development manager and head of Wake County Economic Development’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) initiative, highlighted the reasons foreign-owned businesses continue to choose Wake County for growth.

“There are over 625 foreign-owned firms who have chosen the Research Triangle as their strategic U.S. location and this is no coincidence” said Henry. “We have a diverse and highly-educated talent pool, a community passionate about innovation and collaboration, a flexible business environment, and a great quality of life. All of these factors create an increasingly competitive environment for foreign-owned firms.”

Want to hear more about FDI in the region? Join Wake County Economic Development for their inaugural Foreign Direct Investment Forum on July 26, 2018 to learn about Wake County’s efforts to make the region a global destination for business.

Registration for the July 26 event will open mid-May.