ITEC programme has positively impacted economic and social development – PM

THE TECHNICAL assistance received through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme in agriculture, science and technology and culture, as well as economic cooperation, has had a positive impact on the country’s economic and social development, according to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

altGuyana has benefitted greatly from the ITEC initiative which was launched in September, 1964, by the Indian Government, under which countries from the developing world are given the opportunity to visit India and to benefit from the various technical and economic programmes offered. Guyana is among 140 countries benefitting from this initiative.
Delivering remarks during ITEC’s 48th anniversary programme organised by the Indian High Commission Tuesday  evening at the Pegasus Hotel, Prime Minister Hinds said that the Government of Guyana is extremely appreciative of the support it received from the Indian Government under the Indian Line of credit for various projects, and this includes assistance for the construction of the Specialty Hospital at Liliendaal and for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, which was also built by an Indian firm, Shapoorji Pallonji and Company.
alt
“We applaud the many achievements made in our long standing relationship,” the Prime Minister said, and urged that the two countries build on and deepen their partnership with each other.
“It is important for us to build on our strong cultural ties and deep bonds of friendship which we have nurtured over the past four decades,” he said, especially as it relates to science and technology.
The Prime Minister commended the selfless generosity of the people and Government of India, for soon after it’s Independence, it conceptualised a programme for the benefit of its sister developing countries which had also just gained their independence.
Prime Minister Hinds also expressed pleasure over the many instances of collaboration between Guyana and India. He referred to the countries’ collaboration in the successful staging in Guyana of the Indian Science fair in August. The PM commended the high standards of the exhibits and said that they displayed the ‘great innovation and vision of Indian scientists.’
altHe also expressed satisfaction at the interest shown by India in assisting Guyana in establishing a science centre and said that it is government’s hope that the two sides will work to bring this to fruition at an early date.
Prime Minister Hinds also expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for organising the Guyana delegation’s participation in the international seminar on Energy Assessment in New Delhi recently.
The ITEC event was also attended by Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Puran Mal Meena and members of the diplomatic community.

Minister Westford also spoke of the great role that the programme has played in Guyana’s development. “Even though we celebrate ITEC Day today… in the public sector, ITEC Day is every day for us, …because every religious day we are witnessing the good things, the benefits that we have gained from this programme,” Minister Westford said.
Minister Westford assured that Guyana will cherish the training that is being imparted to Guyanese citizens. The minister said that the training has been beneficial, especially in information technology. “The knowledge we have gained has placed us side by side with our Caribbean counterparts in our e-government quest.”
She said that India offers Guyana training in some new courses, especially in the area of law enforcement as it relates to finger printing and forensic.
According to High Commissioner Meena, the ITEC programme was an honest attempt by the Indian Government to share the fruits of its learning with developing countries.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.