For Immediate Release: June 14, 2010
Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
Public Health Trade-Missions to Saudi Arabia and Qatar Yield Positive Results for U.S. Exporters
WASHINGTON – Francisco Sánchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, recently returned from a successful public health trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Qatar with representatives from 11 U.S. companies. The participating companies introduced their innovative products and services designed to assist those nations meet challenges in the public health and water and waste management sectors.
“There is more than $750 billion in upcoming projects during the next decade in these two markets, and both countries are very interested and excited to consider American products and services for these tenders,” Sánchez said. “There are tremendous opportunities here.”
Rapid population growth and the need for public health services to care for its citizens has both countries contemplating billions of dollars worth of infrastructure, public health, and water and waste management projects in the near future. Sánchez and the delegation met with key government and private sector officials in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Doha, Qatar. Business participants also conducted more than 200 one-on-one meetings with potential clients.
Sánchez noted that Saudi Arabia is taking unprecedented steps to expand and diversify its economy into new, knowledge-based industries, and that the United States looks forward to strengthening U.S.-Qatar commercial ties as Qatar works to achieve its National Vision 2030.
Several mission participants returned to the United States with plans for projects or expansion into both markets. One company signed contracts worth more than $600,000, and another laid the groundwork for $2.5 million in sales and identified distributors in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
“This was a very well organized mission and set us up with the right partners,” said Ted Jacob, President of Ted Jacob Engineering Group. “It really gave us a jump start on the market.”
The mission comes on the heels of President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI), which aims to double American exports by 2015, supporting economic and job growth. By bringing emerging technologies to these two dynamic markets, participating companies are going to play a big role in meeting the ambitious goals President Obama laid out in the NEI.
The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, through trade missions and other vehicles, creates opportunities for U.S. companies wishing to do business in foreign markets.
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