Dubai official meets with Minister Hughes

Second Secretary in the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Brazil, Mr. Abdelrahman Abdulla Almaazmi, paid a Courtesy Call on Minister Catherine Hughes on Wednesday.

According to the government release, the Secretary took the opportunity to apprise the Public Telecommunications Minister of the significant strides Dubai and the UAE have made in the sector of Information Communications Technology (ICT), and the successes in diversifying their economy away from oil and gas.

“Dubai’s economy was initially built on revenues from the oil industry but today, revenue from petroleum and natural gas account for less than 5 percent of the emirate’s GDP.  Dubai is known to practice centrally planned free-market capitalism,” the release noted.

According to the statement, the world-renowned city is the exact same size as Guyana, measuring 83,000 square miles.

“Their private sector is extremely strong, he said, with a global reputation for technological innovations and development of artificial intelligence.  Secretary Almaazi noted that Dubai’s economy and the social growth of its citizens are hinged on a strong STEM programme, technological innovations, empowerment of women, Tourism, Finance and thriving international harbours,” the release explained.

The UAE is yet to establish formal diplomatic ties with Guyana, but the Secretary indicated that his Government is interested in regularizing relations with this country, particularly with the Guyanese private sector.

He expressed interest in providing Satellite ICT solutions for internet connectivity in Guyana’s Hinterland regions and utilizing his country’s best practices to improve the lives and livelihoods of Guyana’s citizens, particularly women.

Mr. Almaazi then issued a formal invitation to Minister Hughes to visit the thriving city of Dubai which she believes holds lessons to fully turn around the Guyana economy.