Attendees at the ISOA 2025 Qatar Conference enjoyed two information-packed days of expert speakers who highlighted business opportunities in Qatar and provided nuanced analyses of the broader Middle East situation, interspersed with ample networking opportunities to build valuable business relationships.

The conference opened with a keynote speech from Sheikha Mayes bint Hamad Al Thani, Managing Director, US–Qatar Business Council, who spotlighted the role of Qatar as a strategic partner on the global stage and emphasized collaboration with the U.S. as a driving force for innovation and investment.

Next, the Foreign Military Sales Panel, which included COL Chris Klein, Middle East Director, USACE Middle East District; Bryan Roberts, Vice President, BD Critical Missions, Amentum; Alaa Mobarez, Middle East Associate, Crowell & Moring LLP; and moderator Alberto Aleman, Program Manager, Parsons, delved into trends in FMS, the importance of developing relationships on the ground, and best practices and compliance challenges for businesses operating in this space.

Keynote Speaker Keynote Speaker: MG Wendul Hagler, Deputy CENTCOM Commander, emphasized the long and positive U.S. partnership with Qatar and noted the importance of using all instruments of government to advance the mutual goals of the region.

Nasser Al-Kaabi, Investor Relations Officer, Invest Qatar presented a helpful overview of the economic history of Qatar and explained the economic diversification currently occurring in Qatar. He emphasized some key reasons for investing in Qatar, including the resilient and stable economy, reliable and cheap energy supply, talent, government support favoring foreign investors, and connectivity with the other countries around the globe.

Following up on the Invest Qatar presentation, the Doing Business in Qatar panel with Ahmed Al Jaafir, Partner, AL Tamimi Law Firm; Juan Catril, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy in Qatar – U.S. Department of Commerce; moderated by Samer Abdeen, COO, KRH highlighted Qatar’s economic diversification initiative and provided practical suggestions for getting businesses set up in Qatar.

After a networking lunch, attendees heard from Keynote Speaker GEN John W. Nicholson Jr., USA (Ret), Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Middle East, who focused on Qatar as an excellent place to do business, the current security situation in the region, and suggestions on how to do business in the Middle East.

In a Fireside Chat about Syria moderated by Doug Brooks, FGi Global Solutions, Dr. Marwan Kabalan, Director of Political Studies at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and Head of the Diplomatic Studies Program at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies emphasized the complexity of the problems and issues facing Syria, the role of outside actors and potential funders of reconstruction.

A fitting capstone to the day was an informative panel about how Qatar has partnered with the U.S. to respond to the ongoing crisis in and around Afghanistan. Moderated by Leslie Schweitzer, Founder and Chair, Friends of the American University of Afghanistan (FAUAF) with speakers Jeff Grieco, President & CEO, Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) and ISOA Afghan Working Group Chair; Julian Setian, Chief Operating Officer, SOSi; Alpha Kennedy, Prime Consulting International; and Scott Wilcox, Founder, Graal Global, the panel highlighted, with gratitude, the invaluable role that Qatar has played as a mediator and logistics hub for the evacuation of Afghan refugees and SIVs after the fall of Kabul in 2021. Current security considerations and economic opportunities were also discussed.

Day Two of programming started with video presentations from Patrick Large of ADI and Robert Nichols of Nichols Liu LLP with updates on the fast-moving announcements from the Trump administration regarding Executive Orders and other policy changes that might affect U.S. Government contractors.

Next, Mike Young, Executive Director, Europe, V2X moderated a panel on CENTOCM Major Programs with Julian Setian, President & CEO, SOSi and Marcus Farris, LOGCAP Middle East. The discussion focused on the current and future direction of CENTCOM programs, the role of industry partners, and how both public and private and private sector stakeholders can navigate the evolving landscape. In this arena, businesses represent continuity across changing administrations. Since CENTCOM was not able to provide substantial details about their plans, the discussion centered around the importance of making and maintaining relationships, following contract requirements, and implementing good, old fashioned business principles.

After a dynamic Business Matchmaking session, Xiomara Henriquez, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce- Qatar moderated the Sectors Spotlight panel which included Dr. Fawzi al-Ayoubi, Chief Medical Officer, Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine and Laila Al–Jefairi, Director–Professional Services Sector, Qatar Financial Center. The speakers noted the valuable role that QFC plays in getting set up to do business in Qatar. The panel also focused on the importance of trusted relationships to create business opportunities and how the ministries are making it easier for international businesses to come to Qatar.

The conference closed with a heartfelt speech by Timmy Davis, Ambassador of the United States to Qatar. The Ambassador emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to our ongoing relationship with Qatar for security and stability. He also focused on his role in helping American businesses succeed and the importance of first developing relationships in country as a preliminary step for doing business there. He punctuated his speech with a deeply personal and motivating description of his background, accomplishments, and passions. His speech served as a moving finale to a productive conference.