Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson turned the sod Wednesday last to mark the construction of a permanent building for the Guyana Embassy in Brazil.
According to a press statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Saturday, work on the new building is expected to commence soon in Brasilia. Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1968.

Bilateral relations between the two countries have developed through mutual understanding and trust, including cooperation in the technical and military areas.
In addition to the turning of the sod, Guyana and Brazil held bilateral discussions on a range of issues including the construction of the Linden to Lethem road, linking the two South American nations.
During the deliberations with the Guyanese ministers and Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Aloysio Nunes, the importance of infrastructural links with regard to the promotion of trade and investment was underscored.

Moreover, in the area of infrastructure, focus was placed on steps to be taken jointly to advance the paving of the Linden to Lethem Road as a complement to the work already initiated covering the Linden to Mabura Hill segment and the bridging of the Essequibo River at Kurupukari.

While in Brasilia, Minister Greenidge and Minister Patterson used the opportunity to meet with members of the Guyanese community living in Brazil to update them on developments in Guyana and the prospects for the future.
Next year will mark 50 years since the two South American neighbours established diplomatic relations.