DEPUTY Tourism Minister of Argentina, Gonzalo Casanova Ferro, hosted guests at Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown at a Friday night reception to end his one-week visit to Guyana.

He declared in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle that the highlight of the week’s activities was the tabling for consideration of several projects which would improve collaboration between Argentina and Guyana.

He also lauded President Donald Ramotar’s expression of support for enhanced ties between the two nations.

Ferro said: “I had in mind to come and conclude one project, but as the week went by, we are leaving with several projects; about four of five projects in education, mutual tourism promotion, exchange of technical skills in sustainable tourism, and some exchange as it relates to protected areas.

“We have a high interest in working on capacity building at the university level.

“The Minister of Tourism has recommended promotion of our tourism through participation in the cricket Caribbean Premier League (CPL). We have never actually explored the possibilities (of) being involved with cricket, because cricket is not a sport that is very popular and played so much in Argentina; we concentrate a lot on sports like football.”

The Argentine minister said that, within the next week, negotiations would conclude on what projects will be advanced. However, he maintained that Argentina and Guyana share common interests. “There is a common interest of both countries to support sustainable ecological tourism. The private sector in Argentina, like Guyana, involved a lot of small and medium-sized enterprises; and importantly to note was the passion for the work being done,” the Deputy Minister said.

Ferro pointed out that Guyana brought to the table the transfer of knowledge aimed at improving service delivery in the sector; and he extended an invitation for a Guyanese tourism delegation to be involved in Argentina’s annual International Fair on Tourism.
“We will support Guyana’s promotion at a fair held every year to expand and promote marketing of Guyana’s tourism,” he said.

He maintained that the experience of being in Guyana was a “wonderful” one, and he reiterated that much was accomplished in the last week.
The Deputy Tourism Minister leaves Guyana en route to Argentina today.

SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION
His Excellency Mr Luis Alberto Martino, Argentina’s Ambassador to Guyana, also spoke to this newspaper, echoing sentiments similar to those of the Deputy Tourism Minister in regard to the success of the visit. “Relations are at a high point, and I am convinced that we can work harder for further collaboration,” he said.

Martino noted that Argentina is “enthusiastic” about the next two years as they relate to furthering cooperation with Guyana. The ambassador said: “In the framework of South-South cooperation, we are trying to advance an umbrella agreement to include all areas of eventual cooperation, including sports, tourism and health. We have a variety of projects.”

He said that several projects are in the making, and in advancing these, the focus will be on ‘sustainability’. “We want to make sure all the agreements reached are sustainable. There is enthusiasm in all the projects, and the focus is sustainability will give the project life, as well as cooperation, longevity,” Martino said.

The ambassador stressed that the Deputy Minister’s visit was made within a month of the visit to Argentina by Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. He said it is a gesture of the country’s commitment to partnering with Guyana.

He said: “Our embassy opened a year and a half ago, and I have been posted here since April; and there have been marked efforts to improve cooperation at all levels of our relationship.”

Minister Rodrigues-Birkett was in the Republic of Argentina on November 28 and 29. During her sojourn, areas of bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Argentine South/South Cooperation Programme were discussed. The two countries signed a bilateral agreement guaranteeing the free exercise of remunerated activities by dependent relatives of diplomatic, consular, administrative and technical staff of their respective diplomatic missions, consular offices and international organisations.

They also took the opportunity to exchange views on the activities of several regional organizations to which their countries belong, in particular the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Minister Rodrigues-Birkett also met with the Ministers of Defence and Security and officials from the Ministries of Health, Social Development, Agriculture, Tourism and Industry. Moreover, it was agreed that the two countries would work towards early conclusion of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in agriculture that would include cattle rearing.

Other areas identified for cooperation between the two countries include post-graduate training for doctors in specialized areas; Spanish language training and military training at Argentine Defence institutions.
Written By Vanessa Narine