A VISITING delegation from the Republic of Congo last week met Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali at his Brickdam, Georgetown office, in the quest to intensify ties between the two countries, through the exchange of information and techniques.

The visitors were led by Executive Manager of Wood Industry, Mr. Alain Ngoya and included Technical Manager, Mr. Simon Makanga; Sales Manager for Congolaise Industrielle Des Bois (CIB), Mr. Jerome Castagne; CIB Independent Housing Consultant, Mr. Pascal Gauthier; Marketing Manager for Industry on Forestry Organisation (IFO) and Manager for all Training Schools in Wood, Mr. Fulbert Akovanho.

Ngoya said the purpose of the liaison is to follow up a visit by Congolese Minister of Sustainable Development, Forest and Environment, Mr. Henri Djombo, last July 20.

He said the collaboration between the two governments has many stages and this visit fortifies the impression made on Minister Djombo, who was amazed at the value- added products in Guyana.

Consequently, it was decided that it would be a great idea to collaborate on a South- South basis, Ngoya said.

He said he and the others are here with the primary aim of exploring new building techniques to garner expertise on the construction of wooden houses, because constructing in concrete is very costly.

“We count on such exchanges so that ideas can be applied from one country to another. We will gain knowledge about your products and exchange ideas on sustainable forest management certification as we are far more advanced in this field,” Ngoya explained.

In addition, he disclosed that the Congolese Government will welcome a reciprocal visit by a Guyanese team next year to observe their forestry management practices in several operations.

Acknowledging the advantages of such bilateral cooperation, Minister Ali pointed out that it is a golden opportunity for Guyana to expand on its value-added base and to explore the new market.

He said it is also an occasion to create another economy based on forestry management, in keeping with President Bharrat Jagdeo’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) initiative.

“I think that is one aspect of the delegation’s purpose that is important for us at the Ministry of Housing,” Ali said.

He recalled the recent Building Expo, at which Guyanese products of world class quality and standards were showcased and said this occasion is ideal for marketing and promoting them.
“We have to remove ourselves as primary producers and become more of a secondary producer. I think this is such an opportunity as the Government of Congo is also looking at our various housing programmes,” Ali posited.
He said the focus of the Ministry of Housing is not only on the allocation of house lots but on grasping opportunities for sharing technologies, products and materials with friends.
“The Congolese delegation has viewed our products with enthusiasm and this is a golden opportunity for us,” Ali reiterated.
The visiting delegation is set to depart on Monday, October 18.