Qatar makes U-turn, to host investment forum during Tinubu’s visit

By ABUBAKAR YUNUSA

Qatar has agreed to host the business and investment forum proposed by Nigeria during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the Arab nation on March 2, 2024.
On February 24, 2024, a leaked memo showed that Qatar declined the proposed investment forum, citing the unavailability of Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the country’s minister of commerce and industry.
Also, the embassy of Qatar in Abuja had said there is no agreement between the Arabian country and Nigeria on investment promotion.
The new development was disclosed in a memo dated February 23, 2024, from the Qatar embassy, addressed to Nigeria’s ministry of foreign affairs.
Qatar embassy said: “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 our Note: Ref: QEA/FA/057/24 dated 22/02/2024 regarding holding of a Business and Investment Forum (BIF) on the margins of Mr. President’s visit to Qatar on 2nd March 2024.”
“The Embassy has the honour to convey that the Qatar Chamber of Commerce will host the above mentioned event on 3rd march 2024, as proposed by the Nigerian side.”
Meanwhile, on February 24, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) had said the proposed investment forum in Qatar has not been cancelled.
NACCIMA said it was discussing with authorities and stakeholders to douse the uncertainty that has surrounded the forum.