Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister of Grenada H E Dickon Mitchell affirmed the strength of relations between his country and Qatar, describing them as very good and continually improving.
In an exclusive interview with QNA yesterday, the Prime Minister of Grenada said his official visit to Qatar provided an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchange views on several issues of mutual interest.
He mentioned his meeting with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, during which the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation and ways to support and further develop it, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare and tourism.
He said that the circumstances currently facing the region make closer bilateral cooperation and coordination particularly important, noting that Qatar has significant international influence, especially in diplomacy, sustainable economic development and the energy sector, all of which he sees as promising areas for cooperation between the two countries.
He stressed the importance of strengthening relations between Grenada and the Caribbean more broadly, on the one hand, and Qatar, on the other.
He said the main areas in which Grenada is seeking deeper cooperation with Qatar include education, sports and economic development, emphasising that cooperation should not be limited to government-to-government relations but should also, crucially, involve the private sectors of both countries.
He highlighted that part of the discussions focused on aviation and on how to leverage the success of Qatar Airways to create opportunities for increased travel between Qatar and Grenada, and by extension the Caribbean and Latin America.
He added that the talks also covered negotiations toward the eventual signing of a double taxation agreement and a trade and investment promotion agreement.
He said encouraging the private sector to invest, trade and conduct business between the two countries requires a supportive legal framework that protects investments.
He added that human capital development was also critical to the continued growth and development of both countries, noting that education offers important opportunities for cooperation, particularly given Grenada’s prominent veterinary university. He expressed hope for closer collaboration between the university and Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
