FRESH FROM his official visit to neighbouring Venezuela, President Bharrat Jagdeo has been rolling out the good news of coming major development projects for Guyana’s further economic advancement. Prior to his meeting in Caracas with President Hugo Chavez, we had pointed in our editorial last Sunday to significant development initiatives being pursued by the government, despite the endless propaganda of frustrated political elements and parties.
Given as an example of the determination by the administration to hasten the economic development agenda was the joint announcement in New York by President Jagdeo and Norway’s Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, on the establishment of a fund to protect Guyana’s huge forest resource.
Established in the context of Guyana’s visionary climate change programme, the  Norwegian government has already identified an initial US$30 million, of a US$250 million commitment over five years, to protect this nation’s huge forest resources.
Secondly, there was the signing in Shangai, China of a cooperation agreement for financing of the Amaila Falls hydropower project.
Then came Friday’s media conference at which the President announced the government’s plan to once again operate a national carrier, transform the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and construct a modern four-lane highway right up to Golden Grove on the East Coast Demerara.
Since returning to power in 1992 with the restoration of electoral democracy that had been denied for 28 years under the rule of the PNC, there have been significant changes in the physical infrastructure of Guyana, along with the rapid strides achieved in key social sectors like health and housing.
From all that have been made public of the discussions held and agreements signed between them in Caracas, Presidents Jagdeo and Chavez are evidently determined to be proactive in advancing a cooperation agenda consistent with the growing pattern for accords reflecting matured partnership for progress among nations of the Greater Caribbean.
Of particular significance is the reaffirmation by both leaders of their confidence in the ‘Good Offices’ process of the United Nations Secretary-General to arrive at a “practical and satisfactory solution” to the controversy arisen from Venezuela’s claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.
It is encouraging to know of the expanded trade and economic cooperation to flow from the meeting of the Venezuelan and Guyanese Heads of State. Now, President Jagdeo awaits to welcome President Chavez on a scheduled visit to Guyana next month.
Greater optimism for Guyana’s social and economic progress has also been generated by last week’s visit of the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah and discussions for financial involvement in various projects. It is a season for optimism in Guyana’s future.