Guyana to set up diplomatic missions in Qatar, UAE and possibly Ghana – Todd

With an embassy recently established in Kuwait, the Guyana Government has announced plans to further expand the country’s diplomatic presence in the Middle East.

On Thursday, during his contribution to the ongoing budget debates, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, told the National Assembly that new diplomatic missions will be set up in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“There is a lot of private capital in that region that can help with foreign direct investments and public-private partnerships,” Todd told the House.

He said with Guyana looking to tap into the region through foreign relations, it has set aside money in the 2021 national budget to fund the establishment of these new missions.

He said Guyana is also being supported by the authorities in Qatar and the UAE in this regard.

Back in October 2020, President Irfaan Ali discussed several key areas of collaboration and cooperation with the Emir of Qatar, His Royal Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during a telephone conversation.

The President was also visited in November 2020 by Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates.

The setting up of these missions is seen as a direct consequence of those and other follow up engagements.

Meanwhile, in keeping with discussions that started by the former APNU+AFC government, Todd also announced that the PPP/C government was looking to move forward with a diplomatic mission in Ghana.

He said the government is currently looking at the financial model and benefits to be derived from Guyana’s presence on the continent. Todd said resources will continue to be dedicated to the traditional partners while also focusing on regional and hemispheric integration.

To this end, he announced the setting up of a Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) Unit in Guyana which will be headed by an Ambassador.

He said Guyana wants to take back the helm of the regional agriculture agenda abandoned by the previous administration while pushing the regional food security agenda.