Sobers: High-level delegation from UAE on the way to Trinidad and Tobago

FOREIGN and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has announced that a "high-level delegation" from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will visit TT from January 23 to 26.

Sobers said the ten-member delegation is expected to be led by Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi.

"This visit is in keeping with the government's outreach and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's vision for TT to forge new relationships with countries throughout the world to advance this country's foreign policy and economic interest," Sobers said.

He added that based upon the "clarion call" made by the PM, the UAE and many of the other Gulf nations reached out to TT around the middle of last year. He also cited the UAE ambassador's visit to the Caricom region in 2025.

Sobers made the announcement during a press conference on January 21 at the UNC Headquarters in Chaguanas, which was streamed live on social media.

Sobers highlighted that the UAE is among the world's ten largest oil producers and ranks among the top ten globally of proven oil and natural gas reserves.

"Its economy is among the top three performers in the Gulf region," he said.

"The Investment Corporation of Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the investment arms of their respective Emirates, are cumulatively responsible for US $1.5 trillion in assets, and therefore TT must continue to engage and continue to build its relationships with the UAE and the wider Gulf region."

The delegation is expected to hold "extensive discussions" with Persad-Bissessar and several Cabinet ministers, including Works and Infrastructure, Land and Legal Affairs, Public Administration, and Culture and Community Development.

"The delegation will also visit several sites in north, south and central Trinidad, identified in the government's revitalisation blueprint for foreign direct investment, including the port of Point Lisas, the Couva Children's Hospital," Sobers said.

On January 25, the delegation will visit Tobago as guests of the chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly and will visit several sites there identified as equally suitable for investment.

Sobers recalled that in September, Persad-Bissessar led TT's delegation to the 80th regular session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

During that visit, she met with several world leaders. She held several bilateral talks, including meetings with Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, and with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.

Sobers said the meetings helped develop new relationships and pique the interests of TT's economic development.

He also recalled that in early November, the Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Minister visited the UAE, specifically Dubai, and discussions were held with the government officials.

Later that month, ministers Jearlean John, Saddam Hussein, and Sobers visited the UAE.

The delegation met with several senior UAE government officials, including Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nain, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs and members of the private sector.

Discussions covered several initiatives, including the establishment of a diplomatic mission in the UAE, support for TT in operating as a non-P5 member of the UN Security Council, co-operation in the oil and gas production sector, development of land and utilisation strategies for investment.

Sobers highlighted that discussions also included development of the Port of Port of Spain, operationalisation of the desalination plants, air connectivity between the Middle East and this country, development of a medical tourism industry, and technical support to the TT government to improve the ease of doing business.