Latest news with #TamimbinHamadal-Thani
Business Insider
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Qatar and Benin eye direct flights, airline collaboration in new bilateral push
The Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, met with the President of the Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, at the Amiri Diwan in Doha to discuss strengthening cooperation between both countries. The Amir of Qatar and the President of Benin met in Doha to discuss bilateral cooperation. Key sectors for collaboration include aviation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and culture. Both nations expressed interest in direct flights between Doha and Cotonou and airline partnerships. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral ties across multiple sectors, including aviation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and culture. Regional and international developments of mutual concern were also discussed. Following the meeting, a joint statement described the visit as a milestone in Qatar-Benin relations. Both countries expressed interest in increasing cooperation in aviation, with the possibility of direct flights between Doha and Cotonou and collaboration between Qatar Airways and Benin's Amazon Airlines. This step would contribute to enhancing Benin's economic attractiveness, attracting investments, stimulating tourism, freight transport, and cultural exchange. Qatar reiterated its commitment to supporting development initiatives in Africa, particularly in infrastructure, education, and health. Both countries also agreed to deepen cultural collaboration through exhibitions and institutional exchanges. The statement concluded with a pledge to enhance bilateral consultations, coordinate positions in multilateral forums, and promote a shared vision for an inclusive and sovereign global order. Middle East eyes investment opportunities in Africa In a wave of strategic economic diplomacy, countries from the Middle East under the banner of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have significantly ramped up investments across Africa in 2025.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The extravagant ways Gulf leaders rolled out the red (and lavender) carpet for Trump, in photos
Trump's trip to the Middle East was marked by lavish displays of wealth from oil-rich Gulf states. He was greeted with lavender carpets, processions of swordsmen and drummers, and lots of American flags. The White House says Trump secured several major deals with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. President Donald Trump was courted like a king during his trip to the Middle East this week. From lush lavender carpets, to processions of camels, to the Burj Khalifa lighting up in stars and stripes, to ceremonial songs and dances, the countries of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates greeted the president with lavish displays of wealth and extravagance. Trump — who himself has a gold-gilded apartment modeled after the French Palace of Versailles, complete with a diamond-encrusted front door — seemed to love the royal treatment. "As a construction guy, this is perfect marble," Trump said to Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, gesturing around him at a Qatari palace. "This is what they call perfecto. We appreciate those camels," he said. "I haven't seen camels like that in a long time. And really, we appreciate it very much." In the first overseas trip of his second term, the president visited the three oil-rich Persian Gulf countries in hopes of securing major deals with them — and on that promise, he seems to have mostly delivered. According to the White House, Saudi Arabia committed to investing $600 billion in the US (though details on the deals remain vague), Qatar agreed to an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion, and the United Arab Emirates pledged over $200 billion in commercial deals with the US. Trump has also said he'd like to accept Qatar's offer of a jumbo jet, worth as much as $400 million, to use as his Air Force One — raising legal and ethical concerns from critics and MAGA loyalists alike. Here's a look inside Trump's grand welcomes in the Middle East. On his first leg of the trip, Trump was greeted by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on a stretch of lavender carpet, flanked by members of the Saudi Royal Guard. A worker rushed to clean one of several lavender carpets ahead of Trump's arrival in Riyadh. Trump met with the crown prince inside Riyadh's ornate Royal Court, beneath a looming portrait of King Salman. Trump's royal welcome in Riyadh included a luncheon and traditional coffee ceremony at the Royal Court. Saudi men and drummers greeted Trump during his tour of Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancestral home of the al Salman royal family. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani greeted Trump in Doha alongside rows of armed guards, as some played musical instruments. A police Cyber Truck joined Trump's motorcade welcome in Qatar as he headed to the Royal Palace. Skyscrapers throughout Doha, Qatar were lit up with the American flag to honor Trump's visit. Flanked by the American and Qatari flags, Trump spoke to a crowd of US and Qatari service members at the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha. Inside Qatar's grand Lusail Palace, Trump and Qatar's Emir greeted a line of guests arriving for a state dinner. A procession of honor guards on camels escorted Trump's motorcade to Qatar's Lusail Palace for a state dinner. Trump received an extravagant welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Abu Dhabi's presidential palace in the United Arab Emirates. The world's tallest building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, lit up with an American flag in honor of Trump's visit to the country. Crowds of children with gold head pieces waving American and Qatari flags greeted Trump at the UAE's presidential palace. A line of women also greeted Trump with a traditional dance where they flip their hair from side to side. The UAE's president awarded Trump with the Order of Zayed, the state's highest civil decoration, to recognize his efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries. Trump took a tour of the opulent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The extravagant ways Gulf leaders rolled out the red (and lavender) carpet for Trump, in photos
Trump's trip to the Middle East was marked by lavish displays of wealth from oil-rich Gulf states. He was greeted with lavender carpets, processions of swordsmen and drummers, and lots of American flags. The White House says Trump secured several major deals with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. President Donald Trump was courted like a king during his trip to the Middle East this week. From lush lavender carpets, to processions of camels, to the Burj Khalifa lighting up in stars and stripes, to ceremonial songs and dances, the countries of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates greeted the president with lavish displays of wealth and extravagance. Trump — who himself has a gold-gilded apartment modeled after the French Palace of Versailles, complete with a diamond-encrusted front door — seemed to love the royal treatment. "As a construction guy, this is perfect marble," Trump said to Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, gesturing around him at a Qatari palace. "This is what they call perfecto. We appreciate those camels," he said. "I haven't seen camels like that in a long time. And really, we appreciate it very much." In the first overseas trip of his second term, the president visited the three oil-rich Persian Gulf countries in hopes of securing major deals with them — and on that promise, he seems to have mostly delivered. According to the White House, Saudi Arabia committed to investing $600 billion in the US (though details on the deals remain vague), Qatar agreed to an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion, and the United Arab Emirates pledged over $200 billion in commercial deals with the US. Trump has also said he'd like to accept Qatar's offer of a jumbo jet, worth as much as $400 million, to use as his Air Force One — raising legal and ethical concerns from critics and MAGA loyalists alike. Here's a look inside Trump's grand welcomes in the Middle East. On his first leg of the trip, Trump was greeted by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on a stretch of lavender carpet, flanked by members of the Saudi Royal Guard. A worker rushed to clean one of several lavender carpets ahead of Trump's arrival in Riyadh. Trump met with the crown prince inside Riyadh's ornate Royal Court, beneath a looming portrait of King Salman. Trump's royal welcome in Riyadh included a luncheon and traditional coffee ceremony at the Royal Court. Saudi men and drummers greeted Trump during his tour of Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancestral home of the al Salman royal family. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani greeted Trump in Doha alongside rows of armed guards, as some played musical instruments. A police Cyber Truck joined Trump's motorcade welcome in Qatar as he headed to the Royal Palace. Skyscrapers throughout Doha, Qatar were lit up with the American flag to honor Trump's visit. Flanked by the American and Qatari flags, Trump spoke to a crowd of US and Qatari service members at the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha. Inside Qatar's grand Lusail Palace, Trump and Qatar's Emir greeted a line of guests arriving for a state dinner. A procession of honor guards on camels escorted Trump's motorcade to Qatar's Lusail Palace for a state dinner. Trump received an extravagant welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Abu Dhabi's presidential palace in the United Arab Emirates. The world's tallest building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, lit up with an American flag in honor of Trump's visit to the country. The world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai just lit up in the American 🇺🇸 flag on the occasion of US President and delegation visit last night to the UAE. — Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) May 16, 2025 Crowds of children with gold head pieces waving American and Qatari flags greeted Trump at the UAE's presidential palace. A line of women also greeted Trump with a traditional dance where they flip their hair from side to side. — Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 15, 2025 The UAE's president awarded Trump with the Order of Zayed, the state's highest civil decoration, to recognize his efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries. Trump took a tour of the opulent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
How Qatar Spent Billions to Gain Influence in the U.S.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with President Trump in the Qatari capital Doha on potential plan to provide a $400 million jumbo jet to the U.S. to use as Air Force One underscores how the tiny Gulf state has managed to diplomatically punch above its weight for years: It has a lot of money and is willing to spend it. The country's ruling monarchy has showered billions of dollars derived from its vast natural gas reserves on U.S. institutions, mainly the military and universities, while ramping up spending on lobbyists to tilt policy in its favor. A growing chorus of Republicans and Democrats have criticized President Trump's pursuit of the plane, arguing it presents national-security concerns. Trump has defended the plane offer, saying he would be stupid not to accept it. A senior administration official said Wednesday that Trump hopes to have the plane ready to use by the end of the year and isn't considering abandoning the plan. 'It's a beautiful plane for a beautiful price and what's wrong with that?' the official said. A spokesman for the Qatari Embassy in Washington said lawyers from both countries' militaries were reviewing the plane's possible transfer. 'Qatar doesn't stand to receive anything in return for the possible government-to-government transfer,' said Ali Al Ansari, calling it 'a reflection of the strong security relationship' with the U.S. It wouldn't be the first time Qatar has given away a luxury airliner to a foreign state. In 2018, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the ruling emir had donated a Boeing 747 to Ankara after hearing it was interested in a purchase. Qatar's former prime minister once told a television interviewer that the previous emir gave his private Boeing 747 to the late Yemeni ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh. And back in 2000, a member of the royal family gave another 747 to Iraq's state-run airline in 'solidarity' with the country and its ruler, Saddam Hussein, according to a U.S. news report from that year. In a few cases, Qatar has also been implicated in alleged bribery schemes involving U.S. officials. A political influence campaign helped end the career of former Sen. Robert Menendez, who was sentenced in January to 11 years in prison. Among the charges: using his position to get Qatar to steer millions of dollars in investments from a state-backed fund to a New Jersey businessman who had given the lawmaker hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, some paid in gold bars. No Qatari officials were accused of wrongdoing. Another influence-peddling case rocked the Brookings Institution think tank in 2022 when the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated allegations that its president, retired four-star Marine General John Allen secretly lobbied U.S. national-security officials and lawmakers to get American backing for Qatar in its dispute with other Gulf countries. Allen resigned from Brookings, and the Justice Department later closed the case without bringing charges. Allen denied wrongdoing or accepting any fees for his efforts on Qatar, and said at the time he had been working on behalf of U.S. interests. Qatar mixes economic statecraft practiced by many other U.S. partners and allies, including multibillion-dollar purchases of arms and other equipment that help intertwine its fate with America's, with some less traditional arrangements. All that is turbocharged by its extreme wealth and small size—its $524 billion wealth fund holds the equivalent of more than $1.5 million per citizen. On Wednesday, the state-owned Qatar Airways announced during Trump's visit that it planned to buy 210 Boeing jets in a deal the White House valued at $96 billion. The result is a country with the landmass of Connecticut that enjoys outsize influence in Washington and has a seat at the table on numerous geopolitical issues where it otherwise wouldn't even be an afterthought. More recently, the country has embraced Trump Inc. as well. Last month, a Qatari minister appeared alongside Eric Trump as they unveiled a planned Trump-branded luxury golf resort being built by a private company in a larger Qatari-state project. The deal between Qatar and the developer was struck before the election, a Qatari official has said. A Qatari fund also joined with a U.A.E. fund to invest another $1.5 billion with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner for his inaugural private-equity fund last year, before the election. Kushner has said he told his investors they shouldn't expect benefits as a result. Qatar's pursuit of influence is driven in large part by its precarious location in a conflict-strewn region: Nestled on the Gulf between two giants—Saudi Arabia and Iran—it is constantly worried about being wiped off the map. In addition to securing Western backing, Qatar has bankrolled the Al Jazeera television network, giving it sway across the Arab world, and pumped money into bigger but poorer states as well as groups including Islamist rebels in Syria at the height of that country's civil war. The country's U.S. strategy has its roots in a sprawling air base located at the center of the peninsular nation. The Qataris have spent more than $8 billion since 2003 to build up and maintain Al Udeid, which hosts U.S. Central Command and some 10,000 American military personnel—enabling the U.S. to wage wars across the Middle East. The base was critical to multidecade campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the 2021 withdrawal, and remains an important forward operating position for counterterrorism. The U.S. agreed last year to extend its presence at the base for another decade. Trump will address troops there Thursday before closing the Qatar leg of his four-day regional tour. Ansari, the embassy spokesman, said Qatar is an 'indispensable security and energy partner' to the U.S. and called its partnership with the Trump administration 'very productive.' He said the U.S. would always be a key destination for Qatari investment, which creates jobs for Americans. Around the same time that the base was gearing up, Qatar began paying top U.S. universities to operate campuses on Qatari territory. It is now the single largest foreign funder of American universities, according to U.S. Department of Education data, providing more than $6 billion over the past 15 years through gifts or contracts with schools including Cornell, Georgetown and Northwestern. Much of that money is tied to satellite campuses that have sprouted in a cluster near the capital Doha known as Education City, where small outposts of Texas A&M and Carnegie Mellon host hundreds of Qatari students in avant-garde buildings. The outsize higher-education funding levels have drawn criticism since the start of Israel's war in Gaza from Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration over allegations that the money from Qatar and other Arab states was skewing teaching about Israel and the region. Education Secretary Linda McMahon singled out Qatar in an April 23 statement on an executive order expanding oversight on foreign education gifts. Ansari denied that Qatar interferes in the curriculum of any U.S. educational institution or has any influence on U.S. universities, calling that 'deliberate misinformation' by 'a campaign of bad actors' aiming to weaken the U.S. relationship and undermine Qatar's mediation role in the Gaza war. Along the way, Qatar boosted spending on Washington lobbyists. A major turning point came in 2017, when Gulf neighbors imposed an air and trade embargo following a greenlight from Trump during his first visit to Riyadh. Qatar ramped up its advocacy in Washington, taking on a burst of lobbying firms to press its case with lawmakers and the White House. Its roster of registered lobbyists and public-affairs firms tops 18—costing more than $6.5 million in 2024—including at least four new firms since January, federal disclosures show. Qatar's lobbyists blitz congressional staffers with updates on issues such as the war in Gaza and security. Some call and text individual lawmakers including South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, the disclosures show. One notable former Qatar lobbyist is Pam Bondi, the attorney general whom a spokesman said signed a Justice Department memo clearing the proposed arrangement involving Qatar gift of the 747. She represented Qatar for a lobbying firm that billed the country $115,000 a month until 2020. Write to Stephen Kalin at Eliot Brown at and Joel Schectman at Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Saudi, Qatar agree to pay Syria's $15m debt to World Bank
This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) being received by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) in Doha on April 15, 2025. File Photo: AFP Listen to article Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced on Sunday that they would settle Syria's debt to the World Bank totalling roughly $15 million, according to a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency. Both Gulf states have played a key role in the diplomatic outreach to Syria's new rulers since the ouster of longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in December. 'The ministries of finance in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the state of Qatar jointly announce their commitment to settle Syria's outstanding arrears to the World Bank Group, totalling around $15 million,' the statement said. The statement came just days after Syria's central bank governor and finance minister attended the IMF and World Bank spring meetings for the first time in more than 20 years. Much of Syria's infrastructure has been destroyed by 14 years of war, which began with a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests. Assad was ousted in a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels in December, and Syria's new government has sought to rebuild the country's diplomatic ties, including with international financial institutions. The World Bank suspended operations in Syria when the war began. The settlement of its arrears will enable it to resume accessing the bank's financial support and technical advice. 'This commitment will pave the way for the World Bank Group to resume support and operations in Syria after a suspension of more than 14 years,' the statement said. 'It will also unlock Syria's access to financial support in the near term for the development of critical sectors.' The Syrian authorities are counting on the wealthy Gulf Arab states to play a pivotal role in financing the reconstruction of their war-ravaged nation and revive its economy.
