As international momentum continues to build as it relates to Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry, the South American nation continues to forge international partnerships – the latest being with Qatar, an established oil producing State.
On Wednesday, Guyana’s Head-of-State, President David Granger, formally accepted letters of accreditation from the new Qatari Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Mohammed Ahmad Mhhayki.
During a simple accreditation ceremony held at State House, President Granger expressed hope for collaboration between the two countries in the oil and gas sector in the future.
“Guyana is also to become in the near future a petroleum producing state…Guyana invites Qatar to examine ways to invest in the development of our emerging petroleum sector,” the Head-of-State encouraged.
Addressing Ambassador Mhhayki, President Granger extended a hand of cooperation, saying, “Guyana has noted Qatar’s rising international diplomatic importance…Guyana looks forward to intensifying bilateral cooperation with Qatar and welcomes its resolve to strengthen relations with Guyana. Distance and economic and cultural differences could not constrain our collaboration. Your accreditation today envisages the opportunity for enhanced collaboration.”
The leader of the South American territory, in his discourse with the new Ambassador of the oil producing State, addressed some concerns that brew with the impending Petroleum Sector and pointed to the fact “the development of Guyana’s Natural Resource sector will now diminish our thrust to becoming a Green State.”
He explained that as part of its objective of becoming a ‘Green State’, Guyana is placing emphasis on “the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity, the promotion of the generation of energy from renewable sources and practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.”
Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, in expressing regards to the President through Ambassador Mhhayki, said Qatar looks forward to developing and strengthening ties with Guyana “in all possible fields.”
The President, on Wednesday, also received the letters of credence from H.E Haralambos Kaskarides, Ambassador of Cyprus and H.E David Solomonia, the Ambassador of the State of Georgia – which are both also established oil producing countries. These latest partnership developments come days after Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman boasted of increased international interest in Guyana’s embryonic oil and gas industry.
Mr. Trotman on Monday last disclosed that neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago “is asking us to enter into a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with them for this oil.” He said too “requests have come from Azerbaijan, Qatar, from Saudi Arabia to Guyana to assist.” The Minister had also made reference to other countries, including Brazil and Mexico, which have expressed an interest in partnering in one way or another in Guyana in its emerging O&G sector.
