By Svetlana Marshall

UNDERSCORING their significant contributions since their arrival here 163 years ago, President David Granger on Sunday urged those Chinese who’ve made Guyana their second home to keep on investing in the country’s development.He also had nothing but praise for the 40-odd years of diplomatic relations Guyana enjoys with China.

“Chinese enterprise in Guyana today has been fostered by 44 years of friendly diplomatic relations and resourceful commercial connections,” President Granger said in his address to mark the occasion, as he and First Lady Sandra Granger joined Chinese from all across Guyana to usher in the Year of the Monkey at the New Thriving Restaurant in down-town Georgetown.
Noting that his government is committed to fortifying that friendship forged between our two nations many moons ago, President Granger said Guyanese welcome with open arms those Chinese nationals who want to contribute to transforming the economic landscape once again, as they did more than a century-and-a-half ago.
Noting further that there is much more to economic growth than merely buying and selling goods, the president couldn’t help but emphasise the need for a thriving manufacturing sector.
“We must first produce the goods we want to sell; we must balance what we import with what we export,” President Granger said, adding:
“Guyana, therefore, welcomes investors not only in trading, but also in agro-processing, energy-generation, engineering, fishing, housing, information technology, manufacturing, mining, telecommunications and tourism.
“Everyone wins with an enlarged, export-driven economy. Guyana looks to foreign investors including the Chinese.”
Noting that he had the backing of the entire Cabinet, President Granger said:
“Investors can be assured of the encouragement of our Ministries: Agriculture, Business, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure, Public Telecommunications and the Presidency itself, as they seek to explore, expand and enlarge new markets for products made in Guyana.”
Of the invaluable contribution of the Chinese government to Guyana in the areas of culture and education, President Granger said:
“We would like to congratulate the Confucius Institute, which was co-founded by the University of Guyana and the Dalian University of Foreign Languages two years ago, and inaugurated by His Excellency Zhang Limin, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Guyana.”

Ambassador Zhang, in turn, pointed out that China has an ancient history and splendid culture. “The Confucius Institute at our national university,” he said, “provides a bridge for cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between Guyana and China.”
And, quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ambassador Zhang said: “Civilizations have become richer and more colourful with exchanges and mutual learning.”
It is the government’s hope that the Confucius Institute will be a platform for mutual learning between Guyanese and Chinese peoples.
The traditional dinner on the occasion of the ‘Year of the Red Monkey’ was organised by the Chinese Association of Guyana.