The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has established first ever economic office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in an effort for a deeper diplomatic and economic relations with UAE. The office to be upgraded to an embassy once a representative is assigned.
PM Browne is in Dubai held successful meeting on the recommencement of the Calalloo Cay Project located at Morris Bay, Old Road village, Antigua. The luxury project which was started by Sheik Tariq has now been replaced by the bank and will be completed in partnership with the government of Antigua and Barbuda.
The country’s leader also held meetings with the Investment Corporation of Dubai at the One & Only Resort.
The Prime Minister’s Office’s Chief of Staff, Lionel Hurst, explained that Browne made the move to “establish a presence in Dubai”, Antigua Observer reported today.
“When we name an ambassador to Dubai… then we’ll upgrade [the office] to an embassy but, at the moment, it is an office that does not enjoy all the protections offered under the Vienna Convention on foreign relations,” Hurst said.
Hurst said UAE is best marketplaces for the CIP programme outside of China and establishment of office has potential for increases in the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) applications from that region.
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Antigua and Barbuda was established in 2007.
The relations between the UAE and Antigua and Barbuda have grown significantly. The two countries signed an agreement for air transport in August 2016 and was announced Antigua and Barbuda will open an embassy in Abu Dhabi. In 2016, an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) was signed between the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Antigua and Barbuda voted for the UAE’s bid to host the Expo 2020
Last month Commonwealth of dominica opened a new embassy in UAE offering consulate assistance to CBI citizens.
Antigua and Barbuda offers a visa waiver for Emirati nationals to visit the islands for 30 days, on the other hand antiguan nationals require a visit to enter UAE.
