GUYANA created several stepping stones in 2014 by creating new partnerships with several countries across the globe, and also worked towards developing the existing ones, in turn recording a successful 2014 with its diplomatic relations. 

This was expressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at a recent end-of-year press conference.
The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that Guyana gained assistance in carrying out many of its operations throughout the year from various countries across the globe, and was also able to render assistance to some countries in the Caribbean.
She noted that recently Guyana created a linkage with Turkey, and received assistance in the Health, Education and the Agriculture sectors.
“This is a major step for Guyana, because Turkey sits in the G20 meeting, making it one of the more recognised countries in the world; this ensures that Turkey has the ability to advocate for small countries,” the minister told reporters.

HEALTH SECTOR
Cuba has also contributed to the development of Guyana’s health sector, when they recently constructed a center for persons with disabilities under the CARICOM/Cuba Programme.
Apart from Turkey, Guyana’s health sector recently received support from Georgia, when a team of medical practitioners came to train and support Guyanese doctors in their various fields of medical practice.
Guyana has also acquired perpetual assistance from Chinese in its health sector, and also recently acquired laptops which will be given out to most of the communities in the Hinterland regions.

AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Meanwhile, Guyana has increased its export of rice to neighbouring Venezuela and has also secured markets for rice in Panama, and is currently exploring a market in Ghana.
Still on Agriculture, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett also noted that Guyana has made a significant increase in the exportation of sugar to neighbouring CARICOM countries, jumping to 15,990 tonnes in 2014 from under 10,000 tonnes in previous years.
The minister said Guyana continues to build bonds with other countries, and this is expected to increase in the New Year, with prospective visions for Guyana’s economy and Guyana as a whole.

(By Navendra Seoraj)