Latest update January 9th, 2025 4:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Saudi Arabia-Guyana ties significantly boosted

Jul 30, 2011 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Guyana’s effort to expand economic and political ties with the Middle East received a boost on Monday after the Saudi Cabinet approved the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries at Non-Resident Ambassador level, and authorized the Foreign Minister -or his deputy- to sign the related protocol, according to the Saudi Islamic News Agency.
Guyana has been anxiously waiting for Riyadh to take make this announcement.
Despite having a sizeable Muslim minority, and being a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Guyana and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have never established diplomatic ties.
This move by Riyadh will pave the way for Guyana Honourary Consul in the Kingdom to officially take his post, and will see the appointment of Ambassador Odeen Ishmael to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, formal ties between Guyana and Saudi Arabia will make it easier and cheaper for Guyanese Muslims to make the Hajji, one of the five pillars of Islam. Most Guyanese Muslims are Sunnis like their Saudi brethren.
Guyana hopes diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia will facilitate trade and investments between the two countries.
Guyana is keen in attracting Arab investments and capital to develop its economic sectors.
Saudi Arabia is also a member of the OIC, and is one of the largest shareholders of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), an arm of the OIC.
President Jagdeo is keen to visit Saudi Arabia, but with little time he has left in office, and the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries so late in his term, it is highly unlikely that he will become the first Guyanese head of state to visit Saudi Arabia.
Ray Chickrie

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Seven Regional Champions to vie for direct promotion single spot in Elite League Season Seven

Seven Regional Champions to vie for direct promotion single spot in...

Jan 09, 2025

Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is set to commence the highly anticipated Elite League Qualification Playoffs on Saturday, January 11, 2025. This knockout-style...
Read More
Kennard Memorial Turf Club expresses sincere gratitude

Kennard Memorial Turf Club expresses sincere...

Jan 09, 2025

Canada-based Guyanese Umpire Suresh Budhoo excited to officiate at upcoming IMC Over-50 World Cup in Sri Lanka

Canada-based Guyanese Umpire Suresh Budhoo...

Jan 09, 2025

Anil Beharry Real Estate and Related Services contributes to CWC Bomb Squad award ceremony

Anil Beharry Real Estate and Related Services...

Jan 09, 2025

Alarm in West Indies over radical two-division plan for Test cricket

Alarm in West Indies over radical two-division...

Jan 08, 2025

After 18 years hiatus, West Indies arrive in Pakistan for Test series

After 18 years hiatus, West Indies arrive in...

Jan 08, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]