Ambassador Joudi’s family attended the official ceremony appointing Mr. Tony S. Joudi as Non-Resident Ambassador of The Bahamas to the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates UAE). L to R: daughter Cassidy, Ambassador Joudi; wife Michelle and son Tony F Joudi Jnr. (Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)

In his address to attendees, Prime Minster the Right Honourable Perry G. Christie spoke of the many attributes of the newly installed Ambassador and of his high expectations of the businessman.

“We recognise that this is the first ambassador that our Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Fred Mitchell has ever proposed to us for Qatar or the United Arab Emirates. As much as we may like to, as a small nation we cannot establish an embassy everywhere, so we need sound advice to enable a wise choice as to where we are represented. I must thank Minister Fred Mitchell for his great assistance in getting us to this point where both countries are in agreement on having an Ambassador and the choice of Mr. Tony Joudi to fill that position.”The Prime Minister explained some of the decision making process.

Prime Minster the Right Honourable Perry G. Christie; Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling; Ambassador Joudi; the Hon. Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration following the official diplomatic appointment ceremony of Mr Joudi (Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)

“The process leading to the appointment of Mr. Joudi was one where the most exact consideration was exercised. I am the person with the final responsibility in selecting someone for this post and I worked hard to ensure that full consideration was given to the appointment. Firstly, I had to consider that we were ready to establish relations with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, that there would be a meaningful relationship arising, and secondly that we had the right person to represent us in that part of the world. On both accounts the Minister of Foreign Affairs was clear in his selection advice and I was able to accept it and make the appointment of Mr. Joudi, and we have every reason to anticipate it will bode well for The Bahamas.”

Additionally, with his appointment as Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Joudi was also designated by the Government of The Bahamas as Commissioner General of The Bahamas’ Pavilion for Expo 2020, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Prime Minster spoke with warmth on the attributes that the newly installed Ambassador brought to the important diplomatic post. He said Ambassador Joudi is a successful businessman and one who naturally and just as easily walks with kings as the common man.

A reception at Government House followed the official ceremony appointing Mr. Tony S. Joudi as Non-Resident Ambassador designate of The Bahamas to the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). L to R: Allan Sweeting, Manager Jet Blue; the Hon. Herbert Chipman, MP; businessman Kendall Major; Ambassador Joudi; Algernon Allen-Attorney; Nathanial Edgecombe. (Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)

“As the old proverb ‘walking with kings’ goes, so it is with Ambassador Joudi – he is able to walk with kings yet not lose the common touch, enabling relationships with people from all ranks and persuasions and politics. He has gained the respect of people in our country and abroad and therefore I think him particularly well qualified to represent our country in the best possible way.”

Ambassador Joudi, a Civil Engineer, is a native Arabic speaker and fluent in English. He came to The Bahamas from his native Lebanon following completion of his education in the United States where he had met and interacted with Bahamians who encouraged him to move to Nassau. A long-time permanent resident of The Bahamas he is also Bahamian citizen. He practiced his engineering in the early years in The Bahamas with Joseph Nathaniel Edgecombe. He is married to the former Michelle Cates of Rock Sound, Eleuthera and they have a son, Tony F. Joudi and a daughter Cassidy D. Joudi.

As the President of Fast Track Construction Company Ambassador Joudi has worked on several local and international design and construction projects. Additionally, he is President of Sapphire Venture Fund, a local real estate Smart Fund listed on The Bahamas International Stock Exchange, Deputy Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a Trustee on the Bahamas Contractors Association. He served for five years on the Board of the Bahamas International Stock Exchange. He is a member of The Bahamas Professional Engineering Board and a member of The Bahamas Society of Civil Engineers.

The popular Royal Bahamas Police Force Band entertained guests at the Government House Reception for Ambassador Tony Joudi, Non-Resident Ambassador of The Bahamas to the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)

Guests gathered at Government House to congratulate businessman Mr. Tony S. Joudi n his appointment as The Bahamas’ Non-Resident Ambassador to the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). L to R: Anthony Thompson, retired attorney; Agernon Allen, attorney; Ambassador Joudi; Dr. Richard C. Demeritte, CIArb's Bahamas' Chairman. (Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)