/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/03150212/AR-306099589.jpg "Brian Ballard at his Washington office in 2017 (Alex Leary | Times)")
WASHINGTON – Trump-connected lobbyist Brian Ballard has landed another big contract, signing a deal to represent the interests of Qatar as it looks to invest billions in the U.S.
Ballard Partners signed the $175,000-a-month deal with the Embassy of Qatar last week, and filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The focus will be on Qatar's Florida interests.
The Arab country on Wednesday is hosting the "Qatar-US Economic Forum" at the Four Seasons in Miami, featuring "in-depth panel discussions of new business and investment opportunities."
Ballard has quickly emerged as a heavyweight in Washington given his ties to Trump, which formed years ago in Florida. His firm is lobbying on behalf of a number of foreign governments as well as scores of domestic interests.
READ MORE: How Florida lobbyist Brian Ballard is turning close ties to Trump into big business
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/e61fba27-044c-4f99-970d-b81462e757a7.png "Alex Leary - Former Times Staffer")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UX66ELZ2JBCRIN3S5NMNSRJEKU.jpg "Former VP Pence files paperwork for 2024 presidential bid in challenge to Trump")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CKLJ7V5MZ5G7JEJQCCNSEMNSDY.jpeg "Luke Combs adds second Tampa concert to his world tour")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HBP4VOUVLFFPBLTDAXFINRRV7Q.jpg "Top Tampa Bay area events for the week of June 5-11")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6DVAXXRYFSTKXSKEZQ2IKV7USE.jpg "Plane that crashed after DC fighter jet scramble registered to Florida company")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SYXUN63X3NFVJKMDOB4BALRP5Y.jpg "Man who drowned near Pine Key Island remembered by family")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/NDQFH5UZIVFTTBV2GCOROVNFWY.JPG "Can another undrafted Greg Schiano pupil make the Bucs’ final roster?")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KTVUULTWKNFSXZBSURUVR4EFBA.jpg "California attorney general says Florida responsible for flying migrants to Sacramento")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TPBFSKKVG4ANQDVPD3XPFLOVHI.jpg "Superintendent turnover creates ‘brain drain’ for Florida schools")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XFUM6ZOSCFDAZMM324L3XMDAZY.jpg "6-story condo in New Port Richey to replace aging hotel")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TDG33DXCWVFK3MCOQVQZQAWW6Q.jpg "In Tampa, drag shows date back 125 years")