GJIA: How has the Mexico-Qatar trade relationship evolved over recent years? What new opportunities do you see emerging for both nations and the lead-up to 2026, particularly in sectors like energy, infrastructure, and technology?
Guillermo Ordorica: Well, the economic relationship is increasingly getting solid. We have paved the way and really consolidated a much richer relationship between both countries. I can tell you that since 2018, we have received at least 14 Mexican trade missions, which have all come with different purposes. They have visited the Qatar Investment Authority, local executives in the government, as well as in the private sector, searching for markets, and opening trade agreements. They have also done a good job when inviting investors to go to Mexico. Last year, we had the Doha Expo 2023 in Al Bidda Park. Mexico operated for six months a very successful pavilion in which we showed all the strengths of the country in the agricultural sector. It was a very nice opportunity for us to really show what we offer to the world. The Ministry of Agriculture of Mexico came to the Expo and had different interviews and interactions with different actors, so this is something important.
We also opened the market for the halal certificate, so now Mexico can export meat to Qatar. It’s an emerging opportunity for us, as we’re still in the early stages, but hopefully, this will prove to be very successful soon. There are many other areas in which we work with Qatar such as finance, public credit, investments, communications, oil and gas, and education. So, I guess the agenda is more complex and richer than before. Qatar is Mexico’s fourth largest partner in the Middle East, and out of all the other countries in the world, it is the 65th destination for Mexican products. We are not as close as we would like to be. However, we are trying to close the gap and to continue doing things for the best of both countries.
GJIA: Now, what role do you see Mexico playing in Qatar’s energy strategy, especially in terms of renewable energy cooperation and resource sharing?
GO: Qatar is the sixth producer of gas worldwide and the third in the world for reserves of gas—which is shared with Iran, and Mexico is the seventeenth producer of gas. So, we’re not as important of a producer as Qatar is, however, Mexico is, of course, self-sufficient in gas production, and we export the same amount of oil. I guess that both countries have experience in the oil industry and refining. In the case of Mexico, we have experience when it comes to offering oil and gas as a means of international cooperation and development. Mexico has worked for many years offering these kinds of resources to friendly countries in the region to achieve success when they face trouble.
Now, in the global market, of course, we are a provider to many other countries i.e. the United States. We are the neighboring country to the south of the U.S. So of course, we are very, very well bonded and connected. And, of course, Mexico can share its experience with the U.S., and with Qatar, because we are in one of the most important economic regions in the world, and we offer one of the largest markets in the world, even bigger than the European Union, with over 500 million consumers. So, this tells you how we can share experiences regarding not just the oil market.
GJIA: Can you highlight any specific cultural or economic programs planned for the 2026 Year of Culture with Qatar that will showcase the strength of the Mexico-Qatar partnership? How do you think these might attract international investment or partnerships? How do you envision this initiative boosting trade relations and creating economic opportunities for both nations?
GO: At the moment, we received the proposal for the celebration of 2026 as the cultural year of Mexico, Canada, and Qatar, together. This is a project that’s coming from the Office of Sheikha Al Mayasa from Qatar Foundation. So, it’s important to have this in mind. Now, what could we do? Mexico is a cultural power in the world. We’re not just one country with a random culture; we benefit very much from our strategies of cultural diplomacy. We are one of the most important destinations for tourists in the world. This tells you how important our cities, gastronomy, history, archeology, etc. are. We hope to increase cooperation and collaboration with Qatar Museums and Qatar Foundation.
We’re also strengthening bonds with Qatar Foundation and Education City so that we accomplish the internationalization of higher education. We expect to benefit from this very important educational ecosystem of Qatar and to bring to Mexico their expertise in several fields, and vice versa. So, there are many things that we think we could present that year. Of course, the traditional one is going to be our national days such as the Day of the Dead. We expect to bring more street art. You know, here in Qatar, there are several works by Mexican artists. In Education City, for instance, Texas A&M was designed by retired architects from Mexico so was Georgetown. These are the result of Mexicans. So, there are several areas here in which you can find the presence of Mexican artists. We expect to continue in Katara Cultural Village. We expect to continue presenting Mexican art in those places so that the public of Qatar can be closer to our public in Mexico and know each other better.
GJIA: Now, what lessons can Mexico and Qatar offer in terms of developing stronger bilateral trade agreements, and how can these modules be applied to other Latin American and Gulf countries to promote economic diversification?
GO: Well, both countries have a very important, gradual, and consistent partnership. Mexico and Qatar have learned a lot from their exchanges in all fields. Both of us share something. Qatar is the entry to the Gulf countries through Hamad port, and Mexico is also the entryway for the North American market and the South American and Caribbean markets. So, Mexico, being a North American country offers this very important gateway to the North American trade. As I told you before, we are one of the biggest markets in the world, with over 500 million consumers. Mexico benefits from its neighboring condition, and, of course, it is very attractive for near-shoring investments, and in general, for all kinds of productive investments coming from Qatar or elsewhere. We can still exchange a lot of things from our own expertise and even the EU and CELAC can learn a lot from the expertise of Qatar in the last years as a very successful country that has proved to be a very good host of great events like the World Cup, and so many others like the Doha Forum.
GJIA: How do you think the growing trade relationship between Mexico and Qatar will influence Mexico’s standing within the broader Gulf Cooperation, Council, and economic system ecosystem?
GO: For the moment, the bilateral relation in terms of economics is still modest. We need to continue improving and fostering these economic exchanges. We have learned a lot. I can tell you that it’s more and more frequent to receive Mexican people here interested in knowing the characteristics of the market. Of course, we are finding many ways to improve the relationship. We are very far away geographically speaking, we’re not neighbors. However, we can really tackle that condition through these kinds of initiatives.
GJIA: How have investments from Qatar and to Mexico, particularly in energy and real estate, impacted the Mexican economy? Could you provide examples of notable partnerships that are benefiting both nations?
GO: In the Gulf of Mexico, Qatar Petroleum has participated in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas. Mexico has a very important company, actually, it is a state-owned company called Pemex. Qatar is working in the basin of the Gulf of Mexico. At the same time, Qatar has invested in the tourist sector, mainly in the Pacific shore, the same as in the Caribbean shore, around Cancun. So, I guess that this is important.
We have a growing number of tourists coming from Qatar. We have an important number of new investors coming to Mexico to invest in tourism, lodging, accommodation, and the hospitality industry. Hospitality is the industry in which Qatar is truly an expert, and they are investing a lot in Mexico. Of course, they are sharing their expertise. Keep in mind, that in 2026, Mexico is going to be hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026. This time it is going to be between three countries: Mexico, USA, and Canada. It’s going to be totally different from the one held here two years ago. FIFA 2026 is going to be a huge monster, with three countries hosting it, so I’m confident that Qatar is going to profit from the occasion and try to increase its presence and investment in Mexico.
GJIA: Is there anything else you’d like to add on any topic that was uncovered today?
GO: I briefly want to say that we are very happy to share these insights with you. Qatar is clearly a good friend of Mexico. It has proved to be, on many occasions, a great partner. We trust each other very much. We are good friends and partners in the multilateral arena in the United Nations. We share values and common views regarding international politics. While we are far in geography, we are close in our hearts, cultures, and performances.
GJIA: Do you think other Latin American countries can learn from this relationship?
GO: Well, I guess that Mexico is one of the leading countries. It has always been a leading country in Latin America, not because we pretend to be. It’s the natural result of Mexico’s consistency in the international arena. So, I guess that Mexico is very closely followed here by other countries.
. . .
Guillermo Ordorica joined the Mexican Foreign Service as a career member in 1993. After achieving the rank of minister in October 2015, he was made Ambassador by the President of Mexico on April 26th, 2017. He is currently Ambassador of Mexico to Qatar. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the National School of Political Science and Public Administration (Romania), a Master’s Degree in National Security from the Mexican Navy’s Centro de Estudios Superiores Navales, a Master’s Degree in Sub-Saharan African Studies from El Colegio de Mexico and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Interview conducted by Zahra Saboorzadeh.
Image credit: Presidencia de la República Mexicana, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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