Devine unveils Canada plan to aid Guyana development
CANADA’S High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr David Devine has disclosed that his country is collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and working with partners to identify the feasibility requirements for a mineral mapping study of Guyana. He revealed, too, that within the commercial section of the Canadian High Commission, the approach is to ensure the success of the mission’s involvement locally.
Devine was speaking on the occasion of the recent introduction of the mining toolkit for Guyana last Wednesday, at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.
“As part of our engagement, we will continue to promote investment, bilateral trade and support the development of the infrastructure that is necessary to boost development in Guyana’s extractive sector,” the diplomat assured.
Recognising the importance of education for development, he said the High Commission, in collaboration with the Canadian vocational and community colleges will pursue a programme aimed at assessing and upgrading the skills needed for the mining sector.
Devine said that is aimed at making sure Guyanese take full advantage of the economic prosperity at their doorstep.
Additionally, the High Commission is working with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to assist in the development of a regionally accredited, geo-technological education programme as well as other vocation skills programmes for Guyanese.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENT
According to him, it is an essential element in providing a highly skilled workforce for a future and prosperous Guyana.
CIDA plays an important role in assisting developing countries in resource development and has been active in building and modernising the regimes to see that natural resources are managed in a sound manner.
Through training programmes and skills development, Guyanese interested in the extractive sector will be better positioned to benefit from opportunities that will be created as the extractive sectors in Guyana realise their potential.
It would allow for the development of skills for the industry and provide much needed higher paying jobs, given the fact that there is a skills shortage in Guyana in the geo-technology field.
The programme is expected to be implemented in the latter part of this year.
In addition, with regards to sector regulation, the Canadian High Commission has been cooperating with the division of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Guyana Government to help in a review of the existing regulatory framework and organisational structure of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) towards a transparent approach to the mineral sector.
The reviewing will ensure that Guyana benefits from employing the most modernised and effective regulatory systems for companies to engage, Devine said.
“I want to assure you that the Government of Canada values Guyana as a partner in development. At the High Commission level, we will do whatever we can to make progress in advancing our engagement with Guyana as the country and its people strive to develop its promising potential in a socially responsible manner,” he added.