By Sonia Odigie
The State of Qatar has snubbed Nigeria over the proposed holding of Business and Investment Forum (BIF) on the margins of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the country on the 2nd March 2024.
In a NOTE VERBALE dated Abuja February 22, 2024 to the Protocol Department, ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Embassy of Qatar in Abuja said “there is no agreement signed between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection to warrant such a Forum.
The embassy also said that moreover, its officials will be too busy “hosting a web summit during the suggested period and the State’s authorities will be preoccupied with the event.”
The embassy also noted that “His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry will be carrying out official missions outside the country during the upcoming visit period.”
The full NOTE VERBALE reads: “The Embassy of the state of Qatar in Abuja presents its compliments to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Regarding the upcoming State visit of H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Qatar from 2nd-3rd of March 2024 and with reference to your Note: Ref: ME.631\2024 dated 12\02\2024, which proposed holding of Business and Investment Forum (BIF) on the margins of Mr. President’s visit to Qatar on the 2nd March 2024.
“The Embassy has the honour to inform that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologizes that it will not be able to hold a Business Investment Forum as proposed by Nigerian side due to the following reasons :
– Unfortunately, there is no agreement signed Between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection.
– His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry will be carrying out official missions outside the country during the upcoming visit period.
-The State of Qatar will be hosting a web summit during the suggested period and the State’s authorities will be preoccupied with the event.
“The Embassy of the State of Qatar avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the protocol department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the assurance of its highest consideration.”
