Just In: Qatar Rejects Nigerian Proposal For Business And Investment Forum (BIF) Ahead Tinubu’s Visit
The written assertion is contained in a Note Verbale dated February 22, 2024, with reference number Ref: QEA\FA\057\24\ Coinciding with Tinubu's Visit To Qatar On 2nd March 2024.
An official declarative statement was made in a formal diplomatic note while the Embassy of the state of Qatar presents it’s compliments in Abuja, to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Note Verbale Reads;
Regarding the upcoming state visit of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Qatar from 2nd-3rd March 2024 and with reference to your Note: ME.631\2024 dated 12/02/2024, which proposed holding of a Business And Investments Forum (BIF) on the margin of Mr. President’s visit to Qatar on 2nd March 2024.
The Embassy has the honor to inform that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry apologizes that it will not be able to hold a business and investment Forum as proposed by the Nigerian side due to the following reasons:
- Unfortunately, there’s no any agreement signed between the state of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on investment promotion and protection
- His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry will be carrying out official missions outside the Country during the upcoming visit period
- The state of Qatar will be hosting a web summit during the suggested periods and the state’s authorities will be preoccupied with this event
With respect to aforementioned grounds, the Embassy of the state of Qatar avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the assurances of it’s highest consideration.
This specific diplomatic note serves as an official correspondence between Qatar and Nigeria concerning the scheduled state visit of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It outlines the inability to host the proposed Business and Investments Forum during the visit due to reasons such as the absence of a signed agreement on investment promotion and protection, official missions of the Minister of Commerce and Industry, and the hosting of a web summit by Qatar during the suggested period.
This exchange underscores the diplomatic intricacies and logistical considerations involved in such high-level visits, highlighting the commitment to open communication and mutual respect between the two nations.