Over recent weeks Guyana was the venue for several high-level, regional and international conferences. These include the meeting of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM), United Nations Human Rights Council Workshop for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, and the air transport meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The latter ended yesterday.

These conferences highlighted the growing recognition of our country in the international community for its efforts at promoting professionalism in our public service, for respecting fundamental human rights, and achieving high approval ratings for air transport safety and security. Guyana has leapt over the approved confidence bar!

GUYANA BRAND
It is always rewarding for international executives, including ministers from foreign countries, to applaud the Government of Guyana as well as our local entrepreneurs in the air transport, entertainment and hospitality sectors for delivery of what is fast becoming the Guyana brand in quality service and unforgettable hospitality.

This is what stood out the most during the recently concluded ICC Women T20 tournament in Guyana. I have heard only high praises for our sports organisers, hoteliers, retail shop owners and taxi service providers.

But in Guyana becoming the venue for these conferences, it seems that emphasis is being placed on improvement in all-round services, including airline services that Guyana must deliver not only when it strikes first oil, but in delivering the much-touted green state agenda. At these fora, Guyana was able to roll out its Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) with a 20-year vision for:-

* Sound fiscal and monetary policy
* Green jobs and inclusive economic diversification
* Sustainable management of natural resources
* Transition to renewable energy
* Resilient infrastructure, green towns and urban public spaces
* A healthy, educated and socially cohesive population
* Good governance and strong institutions; and enhanced
* Trade, investment and international cooperation.

The door is already being opened for the latter, as was evidenced from the involvement by the African Union at the ICAO air transport meeting, and the conclusion of agreements that could see, in due course, flights into Guyana from African states. When that happens, Guyana would enter history as a catalyst for turning what has hitherto been the “Atlantic Crossing” into the Atlantic Air Bridge.

The perilous journey that once took at a minimum eight weeks by sea, would sooner, hopefully, take eight hours by air. And the air flights would move not people as human cargoes but passengers as human capital from Africa to the Caribbean and the Americas, to boost our tourism industry, transit shopping and business investment.

RENEWED CONFIDENCE
Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean look forward with renewed confidence at expansion of links with non-traditional markets, such as with the African Union. “Africa and the Caribbean are joined by the Atlantic crossing, and by history and culture. It is long overdue that we should have air transport connectivity,” I noted at the conference.

Coming out of investment meetings that I have attended in Southern India, there is now growing interest in Guyana among investors of Tamil origins from India, Malaysia and South Africa. There is much idle capital out there and Tamil investors too would be looking forward to better air connectivity to access the Caribbean market.

For its part, Guyana has been show-casing its “open skies” policy. Guyana has strengthened legal security and safety measures with a revised Civil Aviation law, which was approved by our National Assembly on Monday last.

For us, aviation is the primary channel to connect internationally. With a land space of 83,000 square miles, some 80% of which is pristine, tropical rainforest, aviation is vital to connecting our coastland with riverine and hinterland communities, most of which are populated by our indigenous peoples.

MOVING IN RIGHT DIRECTION
Our aviation sector is moving in the right direction, and is growing. In 2017, Guyana recorded its highest international passenger movement in the history of the aviation sector – in excess of 650,000 passengers.

Our compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices are up – increasing from 44% to 64% – with projection to reach at least 80% by December 31st, this year.
With first oil mere months away, Guyana is becoming an attractive market for foreign airlines, and a preferred business and tourist destination. Last week, American Airlines made its inaugural flight to Guyana.

In terms of connectivity, this has increased the number of destinations being served out of Guyana which remains connected to major hub networks of the world such as Panama, JFK, Miami, Toronto, Port of Spain and Barbados.
International aviation is going through a period of unprecedented change. Guyana is poised to take advantage of this change. With our expanded runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the new terminal with state-of-the-art facilities, Guyana is in a better position to handle larger aircraft and process more passengers.

BIGGER AND BETTER BUDGET
I know that my many readers would have expected me to, once again, dabble with the local political controversies. But I have decided instead to air my views on the new horizons for Guyana’s prosperity, which are the modernisation of our governance system and promotion of opportunities for expanding our air travel connectivity.

At the air transport conference, so up-beat were participants over Guyana becoming a new western hemispheric hub, that the air was buzzing with the melody of Eddie Grant, one of our Guyana-born singing stars, “Give us hope…!”
And, hope there will be when, tomorrow, our Coalition Government announces for 2019, a bigger and better budget.