Qatar has signalled interest in financing and investing across several major sectors in Guyana, including a proposed deep-water port, energy infrastructure, agriculture, hospitality and mining.
This was disclosed by President Dr. Irfaan following his recent State Visit to Qatar. In a sit-down interview with journalist Kiana Wilburg, President Ali said the government is now working to turn discussions held during the visit into a defined pipeline of projects that could attract Qatari capital and technical expertise.
“Qatar is ready and willing to partner with us on our transformative journey,” the Head of State said.
He disclosed that, in the coming days and weeks, Guyana intends to develop what he described as a national project framework identifying priority investments for possible collaboration.
Among the projects receiving attention is a proposed deep-water port, which the President said could require billions of US dollars in investment.
“Qatar has signalled its intention, so too did Saudi Arabia and the U.S., of course U.S. EXIM, in terms of being part of a structure in terms of investment in a deep-water port,” the President said.
The port has emerged as a major component of the government’s infrastructure plans. Following the Qatar visit, Ali separately confirmed that discussions in Doha focused on financing for a Berbice deep-water port, while noting that refinery proposals being considered by Guyana were separate from those discussions.
Energy featured prominently during Ali’s State Visit, which began on September 6 and included meetings with Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, its Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Finance Minister.
The visit was aimed at broadening investment and bilateral economic cooperation between Georgetown and Doha.
Ali told Wilburg that Guyana is particularly interested in learning from Qatar’s experience in using its natural gas resources to drive industrialisation rather than simply exporting the resource.
He argued that Guyana should pursue an approach in which natural gas is brought onshore and used to support downstream industries capable of creating economic activity for decades.
“We want to create long-term opportunities. We want to create opportunities for Guyana for the next 50, 60 years,” Ali said.
Among the potential industries he identified were an alumina plant that could process Guyana’s bauxite, a large-scale urea facility, hyperscale data centres, agro-processing and manufacturing.
Such investments, he said, would create domestic demand for natural gas while generating additional activity in transportation, logistics and port services.
Ali said Qatar’s experience in the gas and downstream sectors could also provide Guyana with technical support, noting that assistance and advice have already been provided.
Qatar, he added, has expressed interest in Guyana’s electricity transmission and distribution systems and broader infrastructure development.
“Their technical expertise in the gas and downstream industry is critical,” Ali said.
Agriculture and food security are another area being targeted for greater cooperation.
During the State Visit, Guyana and Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for collaboration in agricultural technology, with emphasis on modern techniques and sustainable production.
Ali said Qatar’s own investment in food security is particularly relevant to Guyana as the country seeks to expand agriculture and position itself as a larger food supplier within the Caribbean.
He pointed to Qatar’s development of technologically advanced agriculture and dairy operations despite its climatic and geographic limitations.
The President said Guyana believes there are lessons to be drawn from that experience, particularly in integrating technology, energy and food production.
Ali said Qatari interests are also examining opportunities in Guyana’s mining sector and potentially further participation in offshore petroleum acreage.
“They are also deeply interested in mining, and of course, in looking at more opportunities in the offshore block,” Ali said.
He said Qatar is already involved in a partnership in Guyana’s offshore sector but is looking at additional possibilities.
Hospitality investment from Qatar is already taking shape.
IDB Invest says it is supporting a major Georgetown waterfront development backed by Qatar-based Assets Real Estate Development Company and Power International Holding. The planned project includes a 254-room Hilton hotel, conference centre, social club and villas, with an estimated overall cost of US$259 million.
Ali cited the project as evidence of Qatari private-sector interest extending beyond government-to-government engagement. Ali said Guyana’s interest in Qatar goes beyond attracting financing.
He pointed to the Gulf state’s development of education, technology, tourism, sports, food security and manufacturing as areas from which Guyana could draw lessons as it seeks to diversify its own economy.
Qatar, he said, demonstrates how a relatively small country can use energy resources to build other economic sectors rather than remain dependent on oil and gas.
The President said the two governments have now developed a relationship that allows for government-to-government, private-sector and investment partnerships.
“They have really opened up their system to Guyana,” Ali said. “They are ready to work with us in partnership.”
During the State Visit, Ali also held official talks with Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with both sides discussing investment and wider bilateral cooperation.
