Thaha Mohamed Abdul Kareem from Kerala becomes the first Indian to be honored as a Goodwill Ambassador for Arkansas, joining a prestigious list that includes US Presidents and global icons, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen international relations.
Kochi: A Keralite has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Arkansas in the US. Thaha Mohamed Abdul Kareem, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, has been named an “Arkansas Traveler” by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
This is a significant honor, as the title has been held by numerous prominent figures, including former US Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and the current President Donald Trump. Other notable recipients include poet Maya Angelou, boxer Muhammad Ali, tennis legend Arthur Ashe, and country music superstar Garth Brooks. Thaha is the first Indian to be given this prestigious title.
As a Goodwill Ambassador, Thaha’s main duty is to foster strong global relationships for Arkansas, which is often called the “Natural State.” His appointment authorizes him to promote the state’s rich history, traditions, and values both within the US and internationally. Thaha said he is proud to have been appointed and will work to promote Arkansas’s values and beauty while also strengthening the relationship between India and the US.
Thaha Abdul Kareem has over 23 years of experience in business consulting, retail, banking, financial services, trading, and strategic advising. He currently serves as a special advisor to the Qatari royal family. He is also the Group General Manager and Director Board Advisor for the Masskar Group, a leading retail group in Qatar, and a consultant for Watnan Holding, a diversified business conglomerate
He holds degrees and certifications from renowned institutions like Harvard Business School, Stanford, Oxford, MIT, and IIM Ahmedabad, and has a postgraduate degree in Business Administration. Thaha is the Secretary and Board Representative of the Harvard Business School Club in the GCC, the Country Head for Qatar, and the President of the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC), Qatar, which operates under the Indian Embassy.
