Guyana's ambassador to Qatar Safraaz Ahmad Shadood has described His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's visit to Guyana as historic and significant since it is the first state visit for an Arab leader to his country.
In his remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador said that the Amir's visit is of extreme importance which gives a strong indication of what the future holds in terms of growing relations.
Shadood praised the efforts made to enhance bilateral relations through agreements, expressing his confidence that His Highness' visit would positively impact the peoples of the two friendly countries and their future.
He hailed Qatar's foreign policy and its distinction in various fields, saying that it's very futuristic thinking, thanks to its wise leadership.
The ambassador touched on the growing relations the two countries have witnessed since establishing the diplomatic relations in 1996.
He noted that the Amir and Guyana's President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali held talks over the phone in October 2020, where they discussed issues regarding developing close co-operation in energy, agriculture, food security and climate.
Shadood pointed out that the Amir and the president also discussed the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, expressing appreciation that Qatar provided medical assistance to Guyana by providing a mobile military hospital, ventilators, and other medical equipment.
The ambassador noted HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi's visit to Guyana in 2022, in addition to the visits made by several Qatari businesspersons. President Ali visited Doha in May 2023.
He added that the relations between the two countries saw a huge momentum and unprecedented activity during 2021-2023 as President Ali visited Doha and now the Amir is visiting Georgetown.
The ambassador praised Qatar's global leading role, saying that Qatar is a friend of many countries and gained its reputation as a global mediator to settle disputes which is not an easy matter, as well as being the world sports capital.
In a related context, he noted Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and achieving exceptional results.
Ambassador Shadood stressed that Guyana is trying to benefit from Qatar's experience, saying that its approach is being applied now in Guyana, as the track that Qatar took to become a world sports capital is the same track that Guyana is taking currently.
He touched on the economic resources of Guyana, especially in the energy, oil, and agriculture sectors, stressing that they are two significant priorities in developing co-operation between Qatar and Guyana, in addition to food security and climate. (QNA)
