The Qatari government has reversed its prior decision to reject the Nigerian government’s request for a Business and Investment Forum (BIF) during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the country in March.

In a memorandum obtained by Daily Trust on Sunday, the Embassy of the State of Qatar informed Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce’s intention to host the event on March 3 as proposed by Nigeria.

A previously leaked memo from the embassy, dated February 22, 2024, had declined Nigeria’s request for the BIF, citing the absence of a signed agreement on Investment Promotion and Protection between Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The embassy has the honor to inform that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologized that it would not be able to hold a business and investment forum as proposed by the Nigerian side due to the following reason: Unfortunately, there is no agreement signed between Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection,” the leaked memo had stated.

It also mentioned that the Qatari Minister of Commerce and Industry would be on official missions outside the country during Tinubu’s visit period, and Qatar would be hosting a web summit during the suggested period.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed President Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar in March, emphasizing discussions on bilateral and economic issues at the highest level. President Tinubu is scheduled to be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and other government officials.

The ministry, aware of the leaked diplomatic correspondence on social media, stated it would not comment on leaks.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified on Saturday that the leaked diplomatic paper was not a snub by the Qatari government but related to a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum organized by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The forum aims to explore commercial and investment opportunities in various economic sectors between Nigeria and Qatar.

Onanuga highlighted that President Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar was at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. During the visit, high-level bilateral discussions on diplomatic and economic matters are anticipated.

From The News Source: DailyTrust