Architects Announce Middle East Trade Mission

WASHINGTON (Aug. 11, 2014) — The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced its sponsorship of the first-ever Architecture Service Trade Mission to the Middle East. The trade mission to Doha, Qatar will take place Nov. 17-19.

The purpose of this mission is to introduce U.S. firms to the expanding and diversifying Qatari market. Qatar continues to develop new infrastructure projects as they broaden their economic scope. The mission will focus on opportunities for U.S. exporters in master planning (city or regional planning and port redevelopment); hospitals and health care architecture; hospitality; airports and other transportation facilities; mixed-use projects; sports and entertainment; and educational facilities.

“This trade mission represents another exceptional opportunity to expand the reach of architectural talent around the globe,” said 2015 AIA President Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA, who will represent the AIA on the trade mission. “Our profession represents a major economic tool for boosting U.S. exports and creating jobs here in the United States.”

In Doha, mission participants will have market briefings with the Commercial Service and industry experts, networking opportunities with local industry experts, business-to-business meetings, site visits, meetings with government officials and more. Mission participants will also have the option of making an additional stop in Riyadh from Nov. 15-17 that can include business-to-business meetings, market briefings and site visits.

The mission, a joint venture with the International Trade Administration, supports President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) and his goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014. The AIA and U.S. Department of Commerce have previously sponsored similar successful trade missions to India in 2012 and to Brazil in 2013.

For more information, refer to the mission statement. Recruitment for this mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than Sept. 15. For an application or other information, please contact Arica Young, U.S. Commercial Service, at [email protected] or 202-482-6219. Further questions about the AIA’s involvement in trade missions should be directed to Derek Washam, the AIA’s Manager of Federal & International Programs, at 202-626-7595 or [email protected].