Antigua and Barbuda is making a strong move to strengthen the ties of friendship
between it and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
These were the sentiments expressed on Tuesday when Prime Minister Gaston
Browne welcomed the new Non-Resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia to Antigua and Barbuda, Abdullah Muhammad Alsaihani.
“We are about to appoint an Economic Envoy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To
this end, discussions are ongoing with the Saudi Royal Family seeking clearance
from the Palace on whether or not we can proceed. That person will likely be
upgraded to Ambassador as we want to ensure that we continue to strengthen the
relations between our two countries,” PM Browne remarked during the courtesy
call at the Office of the Prime Minister.
The prime minister noted that Antigua and Barbuda has signed the MOU for an air
services agreement between both St. John’s and Riyadh. He also highlighted ways
in which that this development could benefit Antigua and Barbuda.
“We understand that Saudi Arabia will be launching a new airline and we are
hoping that Antigua and Barbuda would be considered as a possible destination for
the airline,” he stated.
PM Browne noted that when Saudi Arabia transported Caribbean leaders to meet
with Prince Muhammad bin Salman late last year, Antigua and Barbuda was one of
the countries that the Saudi aircraft made a stop. “We have already established that
there can be direct flights from Riyadh and St. John’s and our understanding is that
the fleet for the new airline will include planes that are capable of doing lang-haul
flights. It is with this in mind that we ask for consideration of Antigua and Barbuda
should the airline decide to offer flights to the Caribbean,” PM Browne urged.
Noting that Saudi Arabia has been successful in its bid to be the venue for the 2030
World Expo, the prime minister added that the Saudi campaign for the Expo here
in the Caribbean started in Antigua and Barbuda.
Additionally, the prime minister has made a case for Antigua and Barbuda to
benefit from the establishment of a Development Fund in the Caribbean to be set
up by the Saudi government.
During is visit to St. John’s, the Saudi ambassador also held discussions with
Foreign Minister, E.P Chet Greene as well as visited the campus of the University
of the West Indies at Five Islands. Saudi Arabia has approved US$80 million to
finance the expansion of the university. Work on this will begin shortly.
