In a reversal of its earlier stance, Qatar has decided to host the business and investment forum proposed by President Bola Tinubu during his scheduled visit to the Arab country on March 2, 2024.
This change of heart comes after a leaked memo on Saturday revealed Qatar’s initial refusal to host the forum, citing the unavailability of its Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Additionally, the Qatar Embassy in Abuja had previously stated that there was no agreement between Qatar and Nigeria regarding the investment forum.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologized for rejecting the proposed business visit in a letter dated February 23, 2024, addressed to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Qatari government confirmed that the business parley would indeed take place during Tinubu’s visit, as proposed by the Nigerian side.
Responding to the earlier reports of rejection, the Presidency clarified that Qatar did not snub Tinubu and emphasized that the investment forum was just one of several events planned ahead of the President’s state visit to Qatar.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that Tinubu would proceed with his scheduled state visit to Qatar. During the visit, Tinubu is expected to engage in high-level bilateral discussions with Qatari leaders on various diplomatic and economic matters.
The confirmation of the business and investment forum’s arrangement marks a positive development in the relationship between Nigeria and Qatar, highlighting the importance of economic cooperation between the two countries.
