Jesse Jackson and Bill Louden at the Doha Forum
Bill Louden, department chair of International Business and executive director of ACC’s International Business Institute, is taking part in the Qatar government’s 11th annual Doha Forum on Democracy, Development, and Free Trade.
Louden is one of three individuals from Texas and the only two-year college representative invited to the May 9-12 forum by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to participate in this conference and collaborate with my colleagues on how to increase U.S. trade, especially Texas exports, to the region,” said Louden.
ACC’s International Business Institute works closely with Central Texas businesses as well as the local Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center. According the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States and Qatar have expanded their trade volume from $738 million in 2003 to $3.2 billion in 2009. The United States is now one of Qatar’s largest import partners.
“This summer, our Introduction to International Business and Trade (IBUS 1305) courses will focus on doing business in the Middle East, so this trip will be a great opportunity for research as well as a rich learning experience for me,” said Louden.
Prior to joining ACC, Louden spent 30 years conducting business in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Japan. This is his first visit to Qatar.
The Doha Forum promotes dialogue about democratic reforms in the Middle East and the region’s economic future.
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