Ambassador of Guyana H E Safraaz Ahmad Shadood. PIC: Ayeni Olusegun/The Peninsula
The first resident Ambassador of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, H E Safraaz Ahmad Shadood, has disclosed that Qatar and Guyana relations can grow exponentially as both countries explore several sectors of mutual interests. Qatar and Guyana have enjoyed decades of cordial relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1996.
Speaking to the media recently at the embassy’s new premises, Shadood, an experienced diplomat previously stationed in Kuwait as the Charge d’Affaires, said Guyana would prioritise cooperation in oil and gas, eco-tourism and agriculture. Both countries signed a bilateral Air Services Agreement in 2019.
“We will be pursuing cooperation in oil and gas and everything within that. We won’t concentrate on the energy sector and the non-energy sector, including agriculture eco-tourism with a halal concept. Guyana has a Muslim population, and most restaurants cater to that if not all. Besides, it is also a lucrative business.
“We have several produce like rice, Demerara gold which is the highest quality sugar, noodles, sauces and lumber. We hope to target the Qatari market and the GCC because these are lucrative markets,” Shadood said.
He added that Guyana is in negotiations with Qatar on several fronts, including air services agreement, double taxation agreement, visa waiver agreement, direct flights from Doha to Georgetown, and more.
“In 2017, Qatar granted visa on arrival to Guyanese, so now we are currently in discussions to have that be made on a mutual basis. Negotiations have started with Qatar Airways even before I arrived here to ascertain the possibility of direct flights to Guyana.
“It’s a win-win for both countries. A World Cup is coming up, and as we know, Qatar is a global sports capital, and Guyanese is a nation of sporting enthusiasts. We have produced some of the best cricketers in the world, and we love football and athletics.”
“There are also talks between Qatar University and the University of Guyana for collaboration in education,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Shadood has urged Qatari investors to take advantage of Guyana’s investment-friendly climate and the influx f international brands into the Caribbean country.
“The current government has established an investment-friendly climate. There’s also a dedicated office to handle local and international investments. As a manifestation of the policy of the government based on some macro-economic fundamentals, and an investment-friendly climate, we have seen several internationally branded hotels come into Guyana to commence constructions over the past year,” Shadood continued.
According to him, brands like the Marriot and Radisson are building hotels in Guyana. Several international companies are opening offices, especially as Guyana has “now become the new oil and gas capital of the world.”
Guyana is reportedly home to the world’s biggest offshore discoveries in years, with 10 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas. Qatar has a representative at the ongoing International Energy Conference and Expo in Guyana.
He stressed that Guyana is a business destination and a tourism destination.
“Our tourism product is unique. We have 365 Islands and the world’s largest single drop waterfall (Kaieteur Falls).
Shadood hailed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for aiding a smooth transition, particularly Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhroo and his staff.
