…as Guyana positions itself for newer int’l partnerships

By Vishani Ragobeer

AS Guyana’s global stature continues to grow and it is able to forge newer international partnerships, two embassies will be established in the Middle Eastern countries of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the end of 2021.

This was highlighted by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, in a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle. He also affirmed that Guyana’s “brand as a country” is improving globally.

Last year, following his inauguration, President Irfaan Ali engaged the Emir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where a commitment was made to provide Guyana with a portable field (or military) hospital and ventilators. The donation of the field hospital, which arrived last week, is part of a growing relationship between the two countries and President Ali also said that Guyana is expected to establish an embassy in Qatar soon.

“The fact that the Qataris have reached out to us in such manner shows that we’re gaining more friends, and given the fact that it is in a different region in itself- in the Middle East- I think it’s a good showing for Guyana in terms of our visibility and it shows that we are moving beyond our traditional and other partners,” Minister Todd contended.

But beyond the relationship with Qatar, Minister Todd highlighted that Guyana is strengthening ties with the Middle East. In addition to Qatar, Guyana already has good relations with Kuwait and is now forging ahead with strengthening its partnership with the UAE. These three countries are part of what is known as the “Gulf Cooperation Council”, a grouping of Arab nations in the Persian Gulf. Other countries in this group include: Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

“We also have an embassy in Kuwait and I can also add that the UAE has also reached out to us and we’re also in discussion to establish an embassy in the UAE,” Todd highlighted.

When questioned on when the embassies in Qatar and the UAE would be established, he said that efforts are “past the midpoint” and that discussions on staffing these embassies have already begun. Todd also noted that Guyana is receiving assistance from both countries and that the establishment of the two embassies is progressing simultaneously. Following further discussions and a visit, it is expected that both of the embassies will be staffed and functional by the third quarter of 2021.

Minister Todd also affirmed that both embassies will be headed by an Ambassador from Guyana, but he indicated that individuals have not been identified as yet since the process of shortlisting and vetting potential Ambassadors is now being embarked upon.

“We’re trying to reposition Guyana and I think we’ve made good strides in that and I think we’re able to do that because the people of Guyana were able to stand up in a very strong manner to show the world that we are a true democracy,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, adding: “I think the people of Guyana need to be commended for that effort, also with the support of our International partners.”

The growing relationship with the Middle East, Todd explained, is due to cognisance of the amount of private capital that exists in the region. And in order to foster and facilitate private investments in Guyana, it is imperative to establish strong diplomatic ties.

Following the establishment of such bilateral relations with Qatar and with the UAE, the minister was sure that Guyanese would benefit from significant projects, geared at improving their lives and livelihoods.

“Our presence in the Middle East is growing and I think it’s going to yield significant benefits for the people of Guyana, in terms of investments and investment not only in public private partnerships, but private capital,” he affirmed.

Notably, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait are all major oil-producing countries and Guyana has had diplomatic ties with these counties since the 1990s. With the announcement of its oil finds, Guyana is expected to be ‘on par’ with these countries, on a per-capita basis. Diplomatic ties between Guyana and Saudi Arabia, another major oil-producing country in this region, were established on February 22, 2012.

In 2019, Guyana and Qatar signed a Bilateral Air Services agreement which paved the way for future cooperation in investment, in trade, and air travel and also in the movement of people. Discussions between President Ali and the Emir of Qatar explored collaboration in the Agriculture sector through investments in the Halaal industry, expansion of the housing programme, the strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and support in other critical sectors including energy, oil and gas, services and infrastructure.

In November last year, an eight-member delegation from UAE, led by his Highness, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of Dubai, met with Dr. Ali and senior government officials, and held discussions on oil and gas, infrastructure and agriculture. A willingness to invest in Guyana’s sugar was also expressed by the visiting delegation.