Antigua and Barbuda is seeking investment from Qatar, one of the world’s wealthiest nations.

The country’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, extended the invitation to Yaser Awad Al-Abdulla, the new Qatari Ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda, during a courtesy call.

The Prime Minister proposed that the two countries collaborate in the natural gas sector. Antigua and Barbuda has recently established a natural gas plant with the help of US firm, Eagle.

However, the country still needs a reliable supply of natural gas, which Qatar could provide.

This would be particularly important since most of the cruise ships in the Caribbean will soon be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), and there is currently no LNG terminal in the Caribbean.

Antigua and Barbuda is therefore aspiring to establish an LNG terminal, and the Prime Minister asked the Qatari ambassador to report this offer to his capital.

He requested that the Qatari government or private sector consider investing in a joint venture with the Antiguan government to establish an LNG terminal in the country.

The Prime Minister also suggested the possibility of student exchanges between universities in the Middle Eastern country and the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

During a courtesy call by Foreign Affairs Minister E. P. Chet Greene, the minister requested assistance from Qatar for Antigua and Barbuda’s hosting of the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) conference next year.

Minister Greene noted that small island states are vulnerable to natural disasters, which are made more destructive due to climate change. The meeting will be an opportunity for these states to arrive at common positions to address the issue.

Ambassador Al-Abdulla pledged Qatar’s commitment to work with Antigua and Barbuda in hosting the conference. He even offered technical assistance, given Qatar’s extensive experience in hosting major events.

Minister Greene expressed his gratitude for Qatar’s support, given the debilitating effect that weather systems can have on Antigua and Barbuda’s economy and people.

The Qatari ambassador invited the Antiguan government to send a formal request outlining the country’s several requests, which he promised to respond to promptly.