Leaked diplomatic memo: Qatar  makes U-turn, says investment forum will hold during Tinubu’s visit

In a surprising twist of event, Qatar has confirmed that the business parley slated to be held during Tinubu’s visit to the country on the 2nd and 3rd of March, 2024 will take place as planned.

This is contained in a memo dated Sunday, February 25, 2024, addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This development followed a leaked memo on Saturday which showed that Qatar declined the proposed investment forum, citing the unavailability of the country’s minister of commerce and industry, Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

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Also, the embassy of Qatar in Abuja, reportedly, had said there is no agreement between the Arabian country and Nigeria regarding the investment forum.

The Embassy stated this in a letter dated February 22nd, 2024, addressed to the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Eagle Online gathered that in another letter, which was received by the ministry on February 23 2024, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologised for the rejection of the proposed business visit.

Speaking on the alleged rejection, the Presidency said the Qatari government did not snub Tinubu, adding that the botched investment forum between the Nigerian and Qatari business communities was only one of several events lined up ahead of the President’s state visit to the Gulf country.

A statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, asserted that, “It is not correct for anyone to insinuate that the Qatari authorities have snubbed the Nigerian leader over a business and investment forum which is tangential to the all-important state visit and which President Tinubu is slated to attend as a guest.”

Onanuga, in a statement titled, ‘President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar,’ explained that Tinubu was expected to proceed to Qatar on the state visit as scheduled and during the visit would engage in high-level bilateral discussions with Qatari leader on many important matters, covering the full range of diplomatic and economic issues.

The statement partly read: “We are aware of a leaked diplomatic correspondence between the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar between 2 and 3 March, 2024.

“The leaked diplomatic paper by mischief makers about an investment forum is not in any way a snub of President Tinubu by the Qatari government.

“The Note Verbale is about a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum to be held on the margins of President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit.

“The event is being put together by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry where business people from Nigeria will engage their counterparts from Qatar on commercial and investment opportunities available in both countries.

“We note the strong bilateral relationship between our two countries and affirm that the State Visit by President Bola Tinubu to Qatar is on the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness, Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

“The State Visit is particularly aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar.

“NACCIMA and Qatar Chambers of Commerce and Industry are collaborating to take advantage of President Tinubu’s visit to Doha to mobilise the business community from our two countries to explore opportunities in key economic sectors such as oil & gas, manufacturing, agro-business, construction, real estate, ICT, Renewable Energy, Solid Minerals and service sector, among others.

“President Tinubu is expected to proceed to Qatar on the State Visit as scheduled and during the visit, the Nigerian leader will engage in high-level bilateral discussions with the Qatari leader on many important matters, covering the full range of diplomatic and economic issues.

“It is not correct for anyone to insinuate that the Qatari authorities have snubbed the Nigerian leader over a business and investment forum which is tangential to the all-important State Visit and which President Tinubu is slated to attend as a guest.

“President Tinubu and His Highness Al-Thani are both committed to maintaining and building on the existing cordial and special relationship between Nigeria and the State of Qatar.”

In further development, The Presidency on Saturday said it was not correct that the Qatari authorities have snubbed President Bola Tinubu over a business and investment forum in which the Nigeria leader is slated to attend as a guest during his State visit.

  Qatar embassy wrote, “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 March 3, 2024, as proposed by the Nigerian side.”

In the same vein, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture has acknowledged the concerns raised regarding the leaked diplomatic memo.

This is contained in a statement signed by NACCIMA President, Hon Dele Kevin Oye, on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

He added that the proposed forum is a significant move which will underscore the strong commitment between Nigeria and the State of Qatar to deepen bilateral economic cooperation.
 
The statement partly read, “We would like to clarify that this event is a significant element of the broader context of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar, scheduled between 2 and 3 March 2024.

“This visit underscores the strong commitment between Nigeria and the State of Qatar to deepen bilateral economic cooperation.

“The Business and Investment Forum, organized in collaboration with Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry, is designed to provide an unparalleled platform for Nigerian businesses to engage with their Qatari counterparts.

“This event aims to explore commercial and investment opportunities across key sectors, including oil & gas, manufacturing, agro- business, construction, real estate, ICT, renewable energy, solid minerals, and the service sector.”

It added that, “We understand that the leaked information may have caused concerns regarding the status of the Forum. We wish to reassure all prospective participants and our business community that the event is being prepared with the highest level of dedication and professionalism, aiming to foster stronger business ties between our two countries.

“As we navigate through these moments, we ask for your patience and understanding. We are in close communication with the relevant authorities and stakeholders, and we intend to provide a comprehensive update and advisory regarding the trip on or before 5pm on 25/2/24. Please rest assured that no decision to cancel the event has been made at this point.”