​On the sidelines of Qatar’s Economic Roadshow in the U.SQatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce meets with the President of the University of South Carolina and attends signing of MoU between Qatar Investment Authority Advisory USA and the University of South Carolina on exploring joint investment opportunities
 
H.E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassem bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, met on Saturday, April 14, 2018, with Harris Pastides, president of the University of South Carolina on the sidelines of Qatar’s Economic Roadshow in Charleston, South Carolina.
Discussions touched on the prospects for joint cooperation in the economic, trade and investment fields and the promotion of relations. The officials also discussed the investment incentives that Qatar is offering and the economic diversification strategy pursued by the state to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030, which significantly contributes to the nation’s development.
H.E Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, and Dr. Khamis Rashid Al-Kaabi, Consul General of Qatar in Houston and Texas, attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Qatar Investment Authority Advisory (QIAA) USA and the University of South Carolina. The MoU aims at encouraging collaboration and enhancing investment opportunities between the two entities.
Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi, head of Qatar Investment Authority Advisory (QIAA) USA, and on behalf of USC’s president, Mr. William Kirkland, Executive Director, Office of Economic Engagement co-signed the agreement.
“We are very pleased to reach this agreement with The University of South Carolina. The higher education community is central to research and development, innovation and future economic growth, and having an esteemed partner such as USC is a perfect complement to our efforts to invest in the U.S. economy and help generate jobs and growth here and globally,” said Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi, head of QIAA.
“This agreement enhances QIAA’s overall strategy in North America and creates further opportunities for us to build on our existing $35 billion investment commitment to the United States. USC is a recognized leader in higher education with a robust endowment and impressive credentials, and we look forward to working together to create long-term opportunities for both entities,” he added.
“On behalf of the University of South Carolina, I am honored to sign a memorandum of understanding with QIAA to collaborate on joint investment opportunities. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar,” said Harris Pastides, president of the University of South Carolina.
The MoU creates a framework for future cooperation between QIAA and USC. Under the terms of the MoU, QIAA and USC will work together to broaden and deepen their working relationship, consider business and investment opportunities in both the State of Qatar and the State of South Carolina and consider initiating and collaborating on joint investment activities.   This partnership is aligned with QIAA’s strategy to move beyond the United States’ population hubs on the East and West coasts and to identify investment opportunities across the Midwest and in midsized cities like Columbia, South Carolina.
Qatar Investment Authority Advisory USA (QIAA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. The primary role of QIAA is to provide investment research and advisory services to Qatar Investment Authority related to existing and potential investments in the United States.
The University of South Carolina is a US public university established in 1801 in Columbia, South Carolina.