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This was first time in the last 19 years of bilateral ties between Qatar and Dominican Republic that political consultations were held, Ambassador of Dominican Republic to Qatar HE Dr. Federico Camilo has said.
The ambassador said this while talking to Qatar Tribune.The political consultations between the two countries were held in the first week of July in Doha this year.
Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chaired the Qatari delegation, while the Dominican Republic  delegation was headed by Dr. Carlos Gabriel Garcia, Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and Relations with the Dominican community abroad.
The Dominican Republic ambassador said the meeting between the two countries was very productive and covered a lot of ground. “We covered extensively the domestic situation of the two countries and exchanged views on a number of important topics on international agenda. I was amazed to find how similar understanding both the countries have on international issues,” he noted.
Dr. Camilo said that Qatar has established itself as an effective mediator in international disputes. “The recent dialogue held between the Taliban and the US in Doha is another example of Qatar’s very constructive role in international arena. Similarly, Dominican Republic also tries to play its role in the region as in the Venezuelan crisis, it was a venue for dialogue between the government and the opposition.”
He said the possibilities of cooperation in the areas of trade and investments were also discussed during the bilateral talks between the two countries. Both parties also reviewed a number of proposals under negotiation for many years.
The Dominican Republic envoy further said, “We have identified eight areas where the agreements are ready for signing.”
He said the Dominican Republic President intends to send an invitation to His Highness the Amir of Qatar to pay a visit to the Dominican Republic. These MoUs will most likely be signed on that occasion, the envoy said while hoping that a large business delegation from Qatar may also visit the country on the occasion and see what the Republic has to offer to the investors.
Dr. Federico Camilo said the two countries can cooperate in several areas including free zones and ports development, tourism sector, medical products, electronics, leather, jewelry, cigars, informatics, etc. He said his country has expertise in free zones which has created some 180,000 jobs and generates an export of $7.2 billion. The other areas include tourism, and being the top tourist destination in the Caribbean, it generates a revenue of $7.6 billion.
Lauding the role of the Qatar Investment Authority and Katara Hospitality, he said Katara Hospitality officials may visit the Dominican Republic to study the possibilities of further developing the prestigious tourist destinations. The Dominican Republic envoy said his country alone meets 54% of the world’s cigar market.
He said that as per an Open-Sky agreement signed between the two countries in 2017, Qatar Airways can use the Dominican Republic as the hub for the region. “It can set a stage for us to create a true reality and take the relations of both the countries to the next level.”
Dr. Frederico Camilo hailed the authorities for the very successful and productive meetings during the two-day visit of the Vice Minister for Economic Affairs, Dominican Republic.
He especially thanked the American Desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its valuable support and making the visit fruitful and successful. He said the visiting delegation had a very busy schedule and had meetings with key officials including the Minister of Culture and Sports, various ministries including Health, Education, Industry & Trade, Hamad Port, Qatar Investment Authority, and Katara Hospitality.
The Dominican Republic envoy said that follow-ups would remain a priority to make sure the agreements are signed, and meetings between foreign ministers of both the countries are held in New York.
On the possibility of meeting of the Heads of States during the UN General Assembly at the end of this month, Dr. Camilo said the Dominican Republic President’s stay in New York would be short as his country is busy in the pre-election campaign.
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12/09/2019
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