Doha: Ousainou Darboe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Gambia yesterday said that Gambia was all set to reopen its closed embassy in Qatar.
“Gambia’s embassy in Qatar that was closed by former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is being reopened and hopefully will become operational within next five months,” Darboe said in an interview with The Peninsula.
He said that President of Gambia Adama Barrow had great respect for Qatar and its leadership and wanted to revive bilateral relations therefore “I am visiting Qatar to convey my government’s good wishes.”
Ousainou Darboe, a lawyer by profession, has been imprisoned many times for opposing former dictator Yahya Jammeh who quit presidency in January this year after an electoral defeat in December 2016 in which Barrow had bagged a landslide victory. Darboe is Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, and also special envoy of the President of the Gambia.
Gambian Foreign Minister said that Qatar had an important position not only in the Gulf but in the whole Middle East. “It is my first visit to the Middle East. I am here to strengthen bilateral relations. Unfortunately, previous regime closed the embassy of Gambia in Qatar and now we want to reopen the embassy and I have informed Qatar’s Foreign Minister about it. Qatar has welcomed the move,” he noted.
Darboe said that Gambia was encouraging investments in Gambia from Qatari businessmen. “We have an investment-friendly environment; have announced various incentives for investors like tax exemptions etc. Both countries have already a treaty to avoid double taxation which is operational therefore Qataris should invest in Gambia,” he said.
He said that there was a lot of potential for investors in agriculture sector of Gambia. “Apart from conventional crops they can invest in horticulture,” he said, adding that there was also great scope in the real estate sector as houses for low income groups were badly needed in his country.
On Qatar’s response to Gambia’s investment invitation, he said: “Response is very positive. All these investments are protected and we offer full guarantee. After opening of embassy things will go on the fast track.”
Energy sector is another sector in which according to Foreign Affairs Minister of Gambia, there exists a lot of potential for investors. “We want plenty of investment in energy sector particularly renewable energy.”
Lauding Qatar’s role in helping to resolve disputes in the region and across the world, he said that Gambia would always support Qatar’s stance on international forums. “We are a small country but we support Qatar’s voice on various international issues.” He said that Gambia was set to host OIC Summit next year “and this too happened with the help of Qatar.”
To a question about bilateral trade, he said that Gambia could export agricultural produce to Qatar. “If Qataris invest in food sector, we can also export processed food not only to Qatar but other countries of the world also.”
Responding a question, he said that Gambia would support Qatar’s candidate for the post of Director General of UNESCO. “We will cooperate with Qatar.”
To a question about media freedom in Gambia, he said under Jammeh’s rule there was no freedom of expression and only one state-owned TV channel was operating in the country. “Now we have constituted a committee at the Ministry of Information to devise a policy that would regulate media and ensure freedom of expression. There are applications for setting new TV channels and all these cases will be decided once the policy is formed.”
