AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud, on Monday, lauded the pact he signed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to increase cooperation between the two countries in forestry and wood industries. “It is a landmark agreement for us. With this, we bring the two tropical rainforest basins together and it is now for us to learn from each other and make advances as it relates to value-added,” he said at a media briefing.
Mr. Persaud said the collaboration provides both countries with opportunities to advance in an area where there are commonalities.
He said, during his recent visit to the Congo, it was observed that there are no wooden houses in that country and the stakeholders are interested in doing more with their forests in terms of value-added.
“When the officials were here, they were amazed at what we do with wood here in Guyana, in terms of value-added and they want to develop a wood based industry in Congo. They want to learn from us,” Persaud said.
He said stakeholders from Congo are in touch with the local Private Sector and discussions are ongoing as it relates to maximising the opportunities provided by the agreement.
“Our role, as government, is to facilitate the Private Sector, which is the engine of growth for any country,” Persaud noted.
The minister said it is through such partnerships that Guyana will continue the progressive advance it has pursued over the years, under the current administration’s lead.

Crucial
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Congo and Guyana is another investment that is expected to deliver and Persaud said it is well known that the agriculture sector has the greatest such multiplier and is crucial to developments in the economy.
The agreement was inked last Friday by Persaud and Congolese Minister of Forestry and Sustainable Development, Mr. Henri Djombo, a deal that is expected to strengthen South-South cooperation between the two countries.
It will see the two establishing and developing cooperation to address sustainable forest management, REDD+ initiatives and the enhancement and development of processed wood and wood-based construction industries.
Recognising the importance of sustainable utilisation and the preservation of forest resources in the economic and social development of the two countries, which boast large areas of pristine rainforest, the bilateral cooperation in the technical, industrial and managerial aspects of the forest industry will, significantly, enhance their development. 
Other initiatives will include:
* exchange visits by delegations from the two countries;
* exchange of information on science and technology related to forest, tree seedlings, genetic material and other forest resources;
* participation of group studies and human resource training;
* collaboration in research, production and joint surveys and
* trading in timber and other forestry products and training of technicians and other experts in forestry-related disciplines.
Guyana and Congo have also established a joint working commission which will be headed by two co-presidents. That body is to be assisted by a secretariat provided by the Director of Forest Resource Development of the Ministry of Sustainable Development of Forest Economy and Environment of Congo and the Guyana Forestry Commission.  
The MOU is a five-year covenant between the two countries.