BY JULIE CARRINGTON | MAY 26, 2023
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed AlKhateeb as he accepts a token from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley as a lasting memento of his recent trip to Barbados. (C.Pitt/BGIS)
Matters pertaining to the conclusion of an air services agreement, opportunities for investment, renewable energy and enhanced training for tourism workers were among the areas discussed with a visiting delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley met with the Minister of Tourism, Ahmed AlKhateeb, who was on a return visit to the island along with his team, during a recent courtesy call with some members of Cabinet and other officials at Ilaro Court.
The Prime Minister made a strong case for air connectivity citing Barbados’ geographic location making it an ideal destination for the movement of people, goods and investment.
In turn, the Saudi Minister of Tourism raised the issue of funding projects from his country’s Public Investment Fund and urged government to submit suitable projects for consideration.
He also gave an update on some of the ongoing infrastructural projects in his homeland and expressed a keen interest to explore other ways to take the relationship with Barbados to a higher level.
Ms. Mottley alluded to government’s plans to build out its energy sector and spoke about possible collaboration regarding battery storage and other greening initiative projects.
The two officials also discussed Barbados as an international business domicile, an energy training hub for the region; and language training for hospitality workers, among others areas.
Barbados and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic ties on December 17, 2007.
