CITING 2017 as a crucial year, the European Union (EU) is expected to sign five contracts with the Government of Guyana, all aimed at improving livelihoods and development of the country.
On Thursday morning, Head of the European Delegation to Guyana, Ambassador Jernej Videti? told reporters at a press briefing at the EU’s offices at Sendell Place, Geogetown, that the contracts worth billions of dollars show the EU commitment to Guyana.
“It’s about people, improvement of their livelihoods and for us, the citizen is at the centre of attention,” Ambassador Videti? said.

He described the EU/Guyana partnership as one which is “dynamic” and “successful,” noting that it provides “real change” for citizens.
He said the partnership addresses the direct needs of citizens.
For several of the five project areas, some of which are on-going, the EU and the Inter- American Development (IDB) will jointly fund the projects in which the funds provided by the former will be made in the form of grants.
Those areas are sea defence, civil society, the forestry sector, energy support, the water sector and administrative reform.

In outlining the financial allocations which the EU will fund, Ambassador Videti? noted that a sum of $22B has been allocated for the sea defence sector.
He said that the drainage and irrigation systems within the city are working, given the heavy rainfall the country has been experiencing. A sum of G$278M will be spent on issues such as addressing the challenges which people living along the coastline experience, including those in the fishing industry.

Civil society projects will receive funding to the tune of $2.B. Ambassador Videtic noted that the EU is a main promoter of human rights and anti-discrimination matters.
He said the impact of support is “very visible”, noting that awareness in several areas, including LBGT rights, domestic violence and child protection among others.
The EU and the IDB will jointly provide support for the upgrade of the energy network here. The EU will contribute $4.7B, while the IDB will add a similar amount.
The water sector will receive funding to the tune of $2.3B from the EU, while the IDB will provide a similar amount.

Ambassador Videtic also noted that more than $1B was spent on administrative reform here. He said two weeks ago the EU and the authorities here signed a technical corporation facility programme.
The reform brings improvement in procedures, modernisation of laws and more legal certainty in conformity with international as well as adaptation to modern times and a globalised world with better services for citizens.
“All in all, we are strengthening the capacity of the Guyanese administration,” Ambassador Videtic noted.