Barbados signs air services agreement with Qatar

Barbados and the State of Qatar have signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA).

The ASA gives designated airlines from both countries the flexibility to operate without directional or geographical limitations. In addition, the signing will assist in the process of enhancing the relationship between Barbados and Qatar and will facilitate greater cooperation in several areas, including tourism, capacity-building, opportunities in education, and scholarships.

It will also serve as a means of broadening the scope of engagement and the pursuit of opportunities for increased trade and investment.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill, who signed the agreement with President of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Mohamed Faleh Alhajri in Doha on Sunday, said the Barbados-Qatar ASA is part of a wider initiative under Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s leadership to promote greater regional air connectivity in the Caribbean while expanding international cooperation and diplomatic ties in the Middle East.  Gooding-Edghill said: “This ASA marks an important step towards deepening ties between Barbados and Qatar, setting the foundation for enhanced collaboration in the aviation sector and creating new opportunities to explore air connectivity between our regions.”

The minister responsible for international transport also noted that Qatar is home to one of the world’s busiest airports and largest airlines and is known internationally for its sophisticated aviation technology.

The Barbados delegation, led by Minister Gooding-Edghill, will also be exploring opportunities for technical assistance and capacity-building in civil aviation with Qatar.

Members of the delegation include Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Transport, Charley Browne; Acting Chief Technical Officer Dionne Gibbs-Nicholls; Acting Director General of the Barbados Civil Aviation Authority, Tracey Forde-Bailey; Director of Air Navigation Services, Department of Air Navigation Services, Carl Gaynair; and Special Advisor, Economic Cooperation and Trade, Invest Barbados, Alexia Hefti.

Barbados and Qatar established diplomatic relations on December 4, 2007.

(BGIS)