Ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar, Ivonne A-Baki Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
Doha: President of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno, will arrive in Doha today on a two-day state visit at the invitation of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said Ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar, Ivonne A Baki.
Moreno will take part in the inauguration of Doha Forum 2018, hold bilateral talks and visit several institutions including the Qatar Foundation. Two bilateral agreements on culture and port services will be also signed during the visit.
“The relation between Qatar and Ecuador is extremely good. I’m sure the good relations between the countries will grow further in the next year,” she said addressing a press conference on Tuesday.
President Moreno’s was initially scheduled to visit Doha for four days and participate in the Qatar National Day as well. However, the visit has been re-scheduled due to unavoidable reasons, according to Ivonne A Baki.
Moreno will be accompanied by a delegation including the Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment, Chief of staff of the presidency, Minister of communications and the first lady Rocio Gonzalez Navas. Rocio is in charge of a wider project in Ecuador which looks into the welfare of poor and middle-income families as well as people with disabilities.
“The Memorandum of Understating on expanding cultural ties will be oriented to strengthen and develop the ties and organizing conferences, workshops and congresses,” said Ivonne A Baki.
“The one related to ports will be signed with Mwani Qatar for greater corporation and management of respective national ports, improve and develop services. A joint committee will be established to monitor the compliances,” she added.
Mwani Qatar is responsible for managing the nation’s seaports and shipping terminals. The number of cargo flights operated by Qatar Airways between Doha and Quito will be increased from two to seven weekly.
“We mainly export roses to Qatar along with other products. The number cargo flights will be increased upon a request by the Qatari side,” said Ivonne A Baki. “But we are also working on with Qatar Airways to introduce direct passenger flights between Doha and Quito,” she added.
Qatar and Ecuador are also working on to introduce a student exchange programme at the soonest. President Moreno is visiting Qatar, following a visit to China and he will leave Doha on Saturday.
