Thank you for inviting me to address this distinguished audience at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in the beautiful city of Chicago.

      Trade has always been an integral part of our culture. It dates back to 4000 BC when Qatar was a crossroads for trade. This openness has been a major factor in our ability to trade with the world, and to create a healthy environment for investment.

      Our strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law has helped Qatar succeed in signing a number of agreements with major international companies, that will put more than 60 billion dollars into industries related to natural gas, and open the door for projects in other fields as well.

      In Qatar we are ready to rise to the challenge of joining you in becoming a vibrant part of the global economy.

Thank you