Guyana, Qatar step up talks on investment, energy, trade

…as Pres Ali meets Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on Tuesday held official talks in Doha focused on strengthening relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries, particularly in investment and other areas of mutual interest.

The meeting was held at the Amiri Diwan during Ali’s three-day state visit to Qatar.
According to information shared by the President on his social media page, Sheikh Tamim welcomed Ali and the Guyanese delegation and expressed hope that the visit would contribute to broadening opportunities for joint cooperation and further development of relations between Guyana and Qatar.
Ali thanked the Amir for the reception and hospitality and reaffirmed Guyana’s interest in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation between the two countries.
During the official talks, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop cooperation, particularly in the investment sector. The leaders also exchanged views on current issues and developments and other matters of mutual interest.
The discussions follow a series of high-level meetings Ali held with Qatari officials on Monday as Guyana seeks to deepen its economic and investment relationships with Qatar.
Ali met Qatar’s Commerce and Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al Thani to discuss opportunities for collaboration in food security, mining, digitisation and infrastructure. The discussions also examined ways to strengthen partnerships between the Private Sectors of Guyana and Qatar.
The President also met Qatar’s Minister of Awqaf (Endowments) and Islamic Affairs, Ghanem bin Shaheen Bin Ghanem Al Ghanem, with discussions focusing on education, culture, and heritage.
Climate and environmental issues were addressed during Ali’s meeting with Qatar’s Environment and Climate Change Minister, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie. According to Ali, the discussions included climate change, global biodiversity and potential partnerships involving carbon credits.
Financial cooperation was also on the agenda during a meeting with Qatar’s Finance Minister, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari. The two discussed potential collaboration between the Qatar Development Bank and the Guyana Development Bank, as well as the investment fund and other investment opportunities.
Energy was another area of focus, with Ali meeting Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, to explore potential cooperation in the energy sector.
Shortly after arriving in Doha on Sunday, Ali also met Mohammed Saif al-Sowaidi, Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s state-owned sovereign wealth fund.
According to the Office of the President, QIA is pursuing a US$350 million hospitality and real estate development in Georgetown and is examining other investment opportunities in Guyana. The project, signed in August 2025, is planned for a 30-acre site and is expected to include a luxury hotel, commercial spaces, residential units, sports facilities, and public green spaces.
Ali arrived in Qatar on Sunday accompanied by First Lady Arya Ali and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd. They were welcomed at Hamad International Airport by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, and Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, Safraaz Ahmad Shadood. Ali also received a Guard of Honour.
The current visit follows an official telephone call between Ali and Sheikh Tamim in April, during which the two leaders discussed opportunities in investment, food security, energy security and technology.

During those discussions, Ali positioned Guyana as an important destination for Qatar based on its geographic and market position, while the Amir expressed Qatar’s interest in expanding cooperation in investment, human capital development, technology, food security and critical infrastructure.
Guyana has also been promoting itself as a strategic logistics and storage hub in the Western Hemisphere.
The President’s latest visit builds on his previous visit to Doha in May 2023, when he held meetings with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari. During that visit, Ali also met members of the Guyanese diaspora in Qatar and outlined Guyana’s development plans, including its focus on climate, energy, and food security, and its ambitions to position the country as a provider of education and health services.
At the time, Ali also pointed to potential Qatari Private Sector involvement in hospitality, ecotourism, energy services and infrastructure.
During Tuesday’s official programme, Sheikh Tamim hosted a luncheon in honour of Ali and the accompanying delegation following the bilateral engagements.
The Qatari delegation at the official talks included Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi and Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, along with other Ministers and senior officials.
Guyana’s delegation included Todd, Ambassador Shadood, Director of Presidential Affairs Marcia Mezan Sharma and George Andrew Hallaq, among other members of the official delegation.
Guyana and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1996, with bilateral ties expanding in recent years through high-level engagements, agreements on economic and technical cooperation, the opening of diplomatic offices and increased Qatari commercial interest in Guyana.