President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has begun a three-day State Visit to Qatar, with investment, energy and financial cooperation taking centre stage as Guyana seeks to deepen its economic engagement with the Gulf nation.
The President arrived in Doha on Sunday, September 6, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd. He was formally welcomed at Hamad International Airport by Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, alongside Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, Safraaz Ahmad Shadood. A Guard of Honour was also mounted for the visiting Guyanese Head of State.
One of President Ali’s first high-level engagements was with Mohammed Saif al Sowaidi, Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund.
Discussions focused on expanding Qatari investment in Guyana. The QIA is already pursuing a major hospitality and real estate development in Georgetown and is reportedly assessing additional areas in which it could invest and collaborate with Guyanese partners.
The President’s programme also placed significant attention on the energy sector, reflecting the importance of energy cooperation to Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.
Ali met with Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, for discussions aimed at advancing bilateral cooperation in the sector.
“This engagement forms part of the ongoing bilateral discussions between our governments,” President Ali said following the meeting.
Financial cooperation was another major component of the visit, with the President meeting Qatar’s Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari.
The discussions examined several opportunities for strengthening financial ties between the two countries, including potential cooperation between Qatar Development Bank and the recently established Guyana Development Bank. The two sides also discussed investment funds and other areas of economic collaboration.
The engagements form part of Guyana’s broader strategy of attracting international investment and building strategic partnerships to support the country’s economic transformation.
President Ali’s visit also builds on an established relationship between Guyana and Qatar. The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1996, with bilateral ties expanding over the years through high-level exchanges, diplomatic representation and cooperation agreements.
Qatar has also emerged as an increasingly important potential partner as Guyana seeks to diversify and strengthen its international economic relationships.
The Guyanese President is no stranger to Doha. During his previous visit in May 2023, he held meetings with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari. He also met members of the Guyanese diaspora during that visit.
With further high-level engagements expected during the current State Visit, Guyana is seeking to translate its growing relationship with Qatar into concrete opportunities in investment, energy, finance, real estate and other strategic sectors.