U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, speaking under State House’s Baridi Benab during his recent visit to Guyana, asserted that the U.S. wants to grow Guyana with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that is clean.

He refuted the contentions of those expressing concern that U.S. investments are a threat to Guyana’s sovereignty and assured: “The United States’ model is to build on the best things of your country… We’ll show up, we’ll bring capital, we’ll bring resources, we’ll often bring technological capabilities that are much needed to develop resources, develop infrastructure for your country, but we don’t do so with political strings tied to them. We don’t operate the way other regimes do, who might show up with money and then demand political retribution, or worse yet, engage in activity that is corrupt.”

In an interview with Leeron Brummell of the National Communications Network (NCN), Pompeo reiterated his assertions, stating that he talks to American private sector leaders all the time about how they can invest in overseas markets in a manner that is fair and transparent, so they can in turn build their businesses in the United States and explained that he thinks countries understand that America seeks only a fair shot at the competition, the rule of law, enforceable contracts and a set of property rights.

The Secretary of State affirmed that U.S. investors hire local skills and that American companies are great environmental stewards.
During that visit the U.S. and Guyana signed bilateral agreements signalling significant U.S. investments into Guyana’s energy and other sectors.
In turn, President Dr Irfaan Ali said that Guyana is looking forward to partner with the U.S. to strengthen border control, anti-terrorism, cyber security, technology transfer and anti-corruption measures. During a joint press conference last Friday morning at State House with the U.S. Secretary of State, the President said he also discussed with Secretary Pompeo, collaboration on combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and lifting the economy out of the economic downturn. Consequent upon prior discussions held with Secretary Pompeo, the President said: “I am grateful for the U.S. support to Guyana in helping us to fight the pandemic. I am confident that there will be more targeted assistance for our health sector, as well as support for our traditional, emerging, and extractive sectors.” President Ali posited that Secretary Mike Pompeo’s historic visit sends a powerful signal that Guyana is regarded as a responsible member of the hemispheric and international communities, as a sovereign nation firmly rooted in democratic principles, the rule of law, respect for human rights and the pursuit of sustainable and equitable development. He expressed his government’s gratitude to the U.S. Government, especially to Secretary Pompeo, for the U.S.’ unwavering support for democracy and constitutional order in Guyana during the recent political and electoral crises in the country and his conviction that Secretary Pompeo’s visit serves to remind Guyanese that the U.S. will continue to be a steadfast partner as stakeholders work to consolidate democracy, strengthen institutions and pursue a path of unprecedented economic growth and development. He asserted that Secretary Pompeo’s visit concretises the bilateral relationship between Guyana and the U.S. and creates a foundation for expanding and deepening U.S. cooperation with Guyana, stating, inter alia: “… I am therefore pleased to announce the signing this morning of a framework agreement between the U.S. Government and the Government of Guyana, to strengthen energy and infrastructure finance and market-building cooperation, in the context of the Growth in the Americas Initiative.” He posited that the historic agreement will boost the business environment for U.S. private-sector investment in Guyana, particularly in the fields of energy, both non-renewables and renewables, along with infrastructure, as well as pave the way for the U.S. private sector to expand their investment portfolio and partner with Guyana’s private sector and that these partnerships will help to meet Guyana’s broader infrastructural and downstream development needs and, by extension, drive economic growth and development as well as job creation, while providing opportunities for firms to explore investment possibilities in the tourism and hospitality sector, ICT and food production, among others. “I am also pleased to announce that Guyana and the U.S. will deepen cooperation in the area of security, with specific attention to maritime security and joint patrols, to interdict narcotics-trafficking. This will also allow us to improve our technical and human capabilities in monitoring Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone,” the President said, asserting that this will result in stronger collaboration and broader technical assistance to help combat both domestic and transnational organised criminal networks. Adverting to Guyanese residing in the U.S., President Ali affirmed government’s commitment to leveraging the skills and investment potential of the diaspora. Importantly, to the delight of Guyanese U.S. citizens and local fishermen, the President informed: “I raised with Secretary Pompeo the need to revisit the current export restriction placed on wild-caught catfish, a product which is in great demand in the Guyanese diaspora. This market is very important not only for our export earnings, but also for the sustenance of the livelihood of the fishing communities.” The U.S. Secretary of State said that the U.S. and Guyana have been friends for over five decades, and posited, “Now is the time to move forward with even closer ties….We know the Guyanese people cherish democracy, they cherish freedom, they value free, fair, and transparent elections, just as Americans do… I was proud to publicly support the Guyanese people in their quest to have the results of the election respected…. It was worth fighting to honour the people’s sovereign decision” and promised the U.S.’ readiness to partner with Guyana, especially when big decisions are faced on moving forward in future prosperity. For the first time in Guyana’s history of struggle for freedom from tyranny of any kind, local investors and law-abiding citizens are assured that facilitating mechanisms for social development and economic growth would not be impeded by anti-democratic, destructive forces that periodically create mayhem and regressive environments that impede upward developmental trajectory because Big Brother is watching over Guyana.