Representatives of the World Bank’s Stolen Assets Recovery Agency (STAR) are currently in Guyana to meet with varying stakeholders on the subject of the recovery of state assets.

At his post Cabinet Press briefing on January 20, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the mission commenced its meeting here on Wednesday.

“That scoping mission is here in the country, they started their meetings this morning and they will continue meeting with various personnel in the government, civil society, the judiciary and in all agencies that can advise on what needs to be done with respect to the recovery of stolen assets.”

According to Harmon, the mission’s meetings with stakeholders will result in the crafting of an action plan that is to be submitted by March 28. The group will work out with the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) the way forward in that regard.

The representatives of STAR are scheduled to meet with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams on Friday morning, an advisory from the Ministry of Legal Affairs said on Wednesday.

Over the past few months, the APNU+AFC coalition has been placing much emphasis on the recovery of state assets and has since sought assistance from several international firms in that regard.

Just after taking office in May last year, the coalition government reported that state assets including vehicles were in the possession of former Public Service Minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Jennifer Westford.

She is currently before the courts for attempting to transfer state property to her friends and herself. Additionally, other former government officials are being investigated.

Government believes that evidence will be forthcoming to substantiate its claim that the former PPP government was involved in corruption.