Ambassador to UAE looking beyond traditional areas of cooperation

Barbados’ first Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is already announcing plans to strengthen ties between Bridgetown and Abu Dhabi beyond traditional areas of cooperation.

Co-founder of the digital financial firm Bitt Inc. Gabriel Abed has signalled that he will be launching “technology diplomacy” between the two nations.

“The UAE is also a technology pioneer and digital world leader. It is because of this foundation of digital greatness in the UAE that I will be launching technology diplomacy – the future of diplomacy as I see it – to create technological bridges between nations, bringing Barbados and the UAE hand-in-hand now and into the future,” said Abed.

“As you would appreciate, as the pioneer behind central bank digital currency, technology diplomacy is inspired by my passion for blockchain,” he added.

Abed, one of the Caribbean’s leading figures when it comes to digital currencies, has officially commenced his appointment as Ambassador of Barbados to the UAE.

He received his credentials from Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), who wished him success in the performance of duties and in enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation between the UAE and Barbados.

“It is a mandate that I humbly accept, and I am grateful to Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and Senator Dr Jerome Walcott, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, for the opportunity to bring pride and continuous progress to my country through this esteemed post,” he said.

Abed said there were endless possibilities to benefit both Barbados and the UAE beyond trade and investment.

“The UAE enjoys a prestigious regional and international position thanks to the visionary policy of President, His Highness Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“The possibilities are endless and the future is exciting as I seek to bring strengthened connectivity and mutual benefits to our nations, well beyond global trade and investment. Though these are important, I equally look forward to the transfer of knowledge and supporting our national and sustainable goals and development. I go forth with a multitude of objectives on paper, and Barbados in my heart,” said Abed.

It was in March of this year that Minister Walcott announced the appointment of Abed as Ambassador of Barbados to the UAE, one of several new diplomatic posts.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said then that the establishment of an embassy in Abu Dhabi would serve to significantly advance the growth of a stronger bilateral partnership with the UAE, which is one of the most developed countries in the Middle East and wields considerable power in the region.

“The diplomatic presence in Abu Dhabi will also facilitate the pursuit by Barbados of economic growth opportunities in the region, and will be a platform for the formation and strengthening of strategic alliances with other Gulf states,” added Walcott. (MM/PR)