The Dominican Republic established diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar, an independent monarchy off from Saudi Arabia. The country is one of the smallest in the world. It is a 11,437 sq. km. peninsula and its capital is Doha. It has a population of about 725,000 persons, and its principal industry is petroleum. Its GDP in 1998 was US$12 billion. It has a literacy rate of almost 80%. The Dominican and Qatar ambassadors will hold the diplomatic representations. Minister of Foreign Relations Eduardo Latorre visited Doha on Tuesday as part of an official tour of the Middle East to expand Dominican international relations and promote investments. During his visit he met with the chief of state of Qatar, Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at the government palace. The Minister of Foreign Relations of Qatar is expected to visit the DR later this year. Accompanying Latorre on the tour is ambassador Vilma Arbaje and Manuel Guerrero, marketing director of the Dominican office of promotion of investments.
