Guyanese, by now, would have observed that Trinidad & Tobago hosted two very high-profile visitors, a few days ago, in the persons of United States Vice President Mr Joe Biden, and President of the Republic of China Mr Xi Jingping.

Both these high-profile leaders led delegations that met the CARICOM Heads of Government for very important talks that dealt with issues of trade and economic relations with the Region, as evidenced by the announcement in the media of the reported US$3B aid largess that China has made available to those CARICOM member states with whom she has diplomatic ties.
This Observer  wishes to emphasise the fact that these two high-profile visits were hosted  in Trinidad. Is it because of the twin-island’s  pre-eminence as the leading economic power, or are there other considerations?
One would have noticed that in this new Millennium, Guyana would have hosted a number of mostly hemispheric conferences, inclusive of both    the Rio  and UNASUR  Summits. Such signalled that Guyana as a nation is held in high esteem, with its once battered image and reputation restored internationally.
The reality is that to host high-profile leaders and their delegations means that there is the need for improved infrastructure such as the Marriott brand and other similar types – first world facilities. Sure thing, it is always a coup for any state to host such type of visitors and their delegations for whatever conference.
Even though Guyana will be benefiting from the deliberations of those visits and concomitant meetings, there is no doubt that our country would have wanted to host such gatherings.
It explains further, why the government  has been seeking to improve and provide new infrastructure, that will propel its socio-economic programme, for the benefit of the Guyanese nation. This is a fact that sadly has not been understood by the parliamentary opposition parties.
It boggles the mind even more when the latter parties could have jeopardised the Cheddi Jagan  International Airport (CJIA) expansion project,  by senseless cuts to the relative  budgetary allocations. Airports and the quality of facilities offered are among the   factors in travellers  determining where to visit.
It is imperative that the political opposition, especially,  understands that to speak of economic advancement  means the pivotal provision of infrastructure, so as to take advantage of opportunities that  commensurate with such.