Once again, Qatar’s warm diplomatic policy came to the fore as it marked 46 years of relations with Mexico yesterday (June 30). Both countries established diplomatic ties on June 30, 1975. Qatar and Mexico, however, did not record significant trade or diplomatic activities until 2014, when Qatar opened its embassy in Mexico City. In return, Mexico opened its embassy in Doha a year later.
Since then, ties between both countries have seen significant growth in diplomatic affairs, trade, sports, and cultural exchange.
The mutual interest in diversifying dialogue and grow as trade partners came to a watershed when Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Mexico in 2015 in a first-of-its-kind visit. Also, then Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto visited Qatar (the first official visit of a Mexican president) a couple of months later in January 2016, sealing a significant bilateral synergy.
Commemorating the 46th anniversary of relations, Qatar Ambassador to Mexico H E Mohammed Al Kuwari tweeted: “On this date is the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between México and Qatar. I feel very proud to be my country’s ambassador in Mexico, this beautiful country. Strengthening relations between our peoples.”
On the other hand, Mexican Ambassador to Qatar H E Graciela Gomez tweeted: “On June 30, 1975, Qatar and Mexico established diplomatic relations. Today we commemorate 46 years of friendship, a growing partnership in trade, culture, sports, and our shared commitment to solve international problems through dialogue and cooperation.”
For years, commercial relations between the two countries were largely limited to Qatari natural gas and aluminium alloy in one direction and, on the other hand, Mexican trucks, vehicles, etc. However, over the last decade, ties have deepened, and bilateral agreements have encompassed several aspects of social, economic, and political cooperation.
Mexican government investment and trade promotion agency ProMexico opened an office in Doha in 2015. The agency seeks to promote trade ties between companies in Qatar and Mexico. In 2017, Mexican light-weight architecture company Dunn started its operations in the country under the Qatar Financial Centre. In the same year, bilateral trade between both countries stood at around $200m.
Qatar was also the first country in the Gulf region to open its market for halal beef from Mexico in 2017.
In 2019, Juan Cepeda, former Director of the ProMexico (ME), said the two-way trade exchange between both countries reached $250m. Qatar’s bilateral relations with other countries continue to see it gain admiration as Qatar defends peace and respect for international law.
