– Prime Minister assures cooperation programmes to continue in the years ahead
Guyana holds the reputation as China’s first ally in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region and continues to maintain bilateral relations, marked by several cooperation programmes in different fields.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds Monday said the programmes continue to be vibrant as he joined President Bharrat Jagdeo, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yu Wenzhe, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett and members of the diplomatic corps at a ceremony in observance of China’s 61st National Day.
The event was held at the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown and was the first ever occasion for Ambassador Wenzhe who was recently accredited as the new Ambassador to Guyana.
“Guyana and China have a long and proud history of friendly relations and cooperation marked by frequent exchanges at the political, diplomatic, economic and cultural levels,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
Ambassador Wenzhe said China and Guyana have, over the years, conducted fruitful “win-win” economic cooperation projects such as the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) and BOSAI bauxite mining.
“There are more projects in the pipeline; the two sides are currently exploring the potential in electric power, agriculture and ICT industry. The Chinese Government will continue to encourage and support the credible Chinese companies to come and look for opportunities of investment and cooperation in Guyana,” Ambassador Wenzhe assured.
Prime Minister Hinds referred to tourism, trade and investment flows, infrastructure, agriculture, science and technology as some of the key areas where much of the potential lies.
He also made reference to the signing of the framework agreement for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) which is the biggest infrastructure investment in the country’s history, to provide cheaper electricity.
The signing, executed on July 15, formalises the co-operation between the Guyana Power and Light, Sithe Global Amaila Holdings, the China Development Bank, and the China Railway First Group.
The agreement sets out the parties’ intention to reach financial closure within 12 months or sooner.
The project is one of several efforts to place Guyana on a low carbon path which Ambassador Wenzhe commended.
“Guyana is pursuing the Low Carbon Development Strategy. China has made great efforts to develop a green low carbon and circular economy. China will continue to collaborate with Guyana and the rest of the world to make our contribution meet the challenge of climate change,” Ambassador Wenzhe said.
China’s economy rapidly became the second-largest in the world after the United States of America. It is estimated that the contribution of the Chinese economic development to the world economic growth is well above 20 percent.