THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has called on the newly-appointed ambassadors to Brazil and Brussels to help deepen trade relations between Guyanese businesses and those states.Executives of the PSC met with (designate) George Talbot, Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil, and (designate) David Hales, Ambassador to Brussels, Belgium last Friday, to outline how they could use their appointments to advocate the enhancement of Guyana’s trade, specifically with Brazil, and the use of Ambassador Hales’s experience in Brussels.

A statement from the PSC said it was discussed that while political diplomacy is important,ambassadorships can also be used to forward economic causes. “We are cognizant of the fact that Guyana is becoming economically diversified, evolving beyond the traditional natural resources,” the PSC said. “As we explore new horizons, the marketing of Guyana through our embassies and commercial attaches becomes advantageous. They would be able to ensure that all trade agreements are properly analysed and enforced to ensure more opportunities for the private sector.”

Regarding Brazil, the PSC said it would like to see the realisation of the Road Traffic Agreement with Brazil and the passing of the additional items in the Partial Scope Agreement, which has been pending at the federal level for a very long time. “There is some amount of unfriendliness at the port of entry at Lethem for goods entering Brazil. It is hoped that the private sector can continue its engagements with SEBRAE, the Chambers of Commerce of Boa Vista and other agencies in Brazil with the installation of Ambassador Talbot.”

Moreover, the PSC said it is difficult to predict the impact on Guyana’s trade with Britain, which was created by BREXIT. “We have to wait and see what gives. We hope to preserve both our political and economic ties with the EU through the appointment of Ambassador Hales, who had previous experience working with the EEC in Brussels, we have a unique opportunity to further promote our economic cause.”

The PSC said it is confident that both ambassadors Talbot and Hales would make every effort to promote the cause of the Guyana Government, and by extension the Private Sector, on matters of political diplomacy and economic development.

Only recently, President David Granger met with Ambassador Talbot, who replaces Ambassador Merlin Udho. He is scheduled to arrive in Brazil on July 31. Ambassador Talbot, in a brief comment, has said that Guyana shares excellent diplomatic relations with Brazil. He noted that while the two countries share an extensive border, their ties remain friendly and peaceful.

“We have very good cooperation at multiple levels…We have a good basis on which to build. There are important expectations for the future of our relations, in terms of where Guyana sits vis-a-vis Brazil, and the country’s own possibilities for trade, investment and expansion for its own economic space,” Ambassador Talbot said.

Guyana established diplomatic relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil 48 years ago, in 1968.