President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Qatar’s Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, held official talks Tuesday as the Guyanese leader continued a three-day State Visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties and expanding investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The talks were held at the Amiri Diwan in Doha following an official reception ceremony for President Ali.
At the start of the meeting, Sheikh Tamim welcomed President Ali and his delegation and expressed Qatar’s desire to see relations between the two countries continue to develop and grow.
The Amir also expressed hope that President Ali’s State Visit would broaden opportunities for greater cooperation in areas that serve the interests of both countries.
President Ali thanked Sheikh Tamim for the warm reception and generous hospitality and reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to strengthening relations with Qatar and advancing cooperation that delivers mutual benefits.
Discussions focused on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and expand cooperation, particularly in investment and other areas of mutual interest.
President Ali and Sheikh Tamim also held a bilateral meeting during which they exchanged views on major current global issues and developments.
Guyana and Qatar established diplomatic relations in August 1996, but ties have expanded significantly in recent years as the two countries pursue closer political, economic and investment cooperation.
President Ali opened Guyana’s embassy in Doha in May 2023, establishing a permanent diplomatic presence as Georgetown sought to deepen its engagement with Qatar and the wider Gulf region.
Months later, Sheikh Tamim made a State Visit to Guyana, during which the two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements covering economic, commercial and technical cooperation and the encouragement and protection of mutual investments, along with a memorandum of understanding on legal cooperation.
The relationship was further strengthened in December 2024 when Guyana and Qatar held their inaugural political consultations and established a framework for regular political dialogue and expanded bilateral cooperation.
Investment and economic cooperation have taken on greater prominence during President Ali’s current visit. His engagements in Doha have included discussions with senior Qatari officials and institutions on opportunities in energy, finance, food security, mining, digitisation, infrastructure and private-sector collaboration.
The Qatari delegation at Tuesday’s talks included Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, chief of the Amiri Diwan; Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, minister of state for energy affairs; Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, minister of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and other senior officials.
Guyana’s delegation included Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd; Marcia Mezan Sharma, head of presidential affairs at the Office of the President; George Andrew Hallaq; and other members of the official delegation.
Following the talks, Sheikh Tamim hosted a luncheon in honour of President Ali and his delegation.
