PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has invited members of Guyanese diaspora, Caribbean and US organisations in Florida to visit Guyana to see the “tremendous transformation” that has taken place under the PPP/ Civic Administration and to get involved in future developments.

”Guyana is perched for even greater heights in the years ahead. And I would very much like you,
the Guyanese community in Florida, to be part of that exciting and rewarding future. There is a
role for everyone in the development of Guyana,” the president said in an independence message read to guests at the special function to mark Guyana 47th independence anniversary.
Representatives of Guyanese and US business, social and cultural organisations in Florida participated in the event, which was attended by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo was a special guest at the independence celebrations at the Miramar residence of Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Miami, Ramzan Roshanali.
Noting that Guyana has come a far way since independence, President Ramotar said Guyana is “perched for even greater heights” and on the road to even greater gains.
“And I would very much like you, the Guyanese community in Florida, to be part of that exciting and rewarding future. There is a
role for everyone in the development of Guyana.” Ramotar said.
Minister Ali, in brief remarks, echoed the President’s sentiments, highlighting significant improvements in various sectors of the economy, including in the areas of health and education.
He pointed to continued growth in the Guyanese economy over the past seven years. “There is a role for you in Guyana’s social and economic development,” said Ali, who also met with Guyanese from the Florida communities of West Palm Beach, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Miramar during last weekend.
Former President Jagdeo noted that while Guyana has recorded continuous economic growth, the economies of other Caribbean countries  have been experiencing  severe difficulties, and he cautioned that even tougher times may be ahead for the rest of the Region.
Jagdeo called on the diaspora in Florida not to miss out on the tremendous opportunities in Guyana, and not to forget “how far we have come”.
The Dean of the Caribbean diplomatic corps in Florida, St. Lucia’s Honorary Consul General Kent Hippolyte, who attended the “Invest Guyana” forum held earlier in the week, said he was excited about the potential of Guyana, which he described as “an economic powerhouse”.
The associations which participated in the Independence function were the Ex-GDF Officers, the Guyana Nurses Association of South Florida, Bishops’ High School Alumni South Florida Chapter, the South Florida Guyanese Association, the Guyana Relief Council, the Guyana Cultural Network of Tampa Bay, the Guyana-American Cultural Association of Central Florida, the Task Force for Guyana Youth, GT Lime and Lady Jaguars national Women’s Football Team of Guyana. Representatives of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) also participated in the independence function.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the Mayor of Miramar Lori Moseley, the Trinidad and Tobago Consul General Dr. Anil Ramnanan, and President of the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce Roxanne Valies. Also in attendance was Business Consultant and Editor of the “Invest Guyana” magazine, Sandra Ann Baptiste.
The event was organised by a small committee headed by Wesley Kirton, Corporate Manager at Laparkan, who was presented with an award for his outstanding service and commitment to the Guyanese diaspora in Florida by former President Jagdeo.