–lift persons out of poverty, Chairman of US House’s Ways and Means Committee says

CHAIRMAN of the United States House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith has said that Guyana has an abundance of energy resources that could contribute significantly to global advancement.

A delegation from the committee, which is currently in Guyana, has engaged several high-level authorities, including President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, and other members of Cabinet.

In a press release following those discussions, the Ways and Means Committee said: “We appreciate the productive conversation the delegation had with President Dr. Ali about the American–Guyanese bilateral relationship. Guyana’s abundant energy resources have the potential to lift its people out of poverty, help power the world, and ensure more affordable energy for American families and job creators.”

Chairman Smith shared his interest in growing America’s participation in Guyana’s energy production, saying that Guyana is experiencing a massive increase in offshore oil production, a trend that is expected to continue.

Smith said: “America can lead the way in developing, extracting, and selling Guyanese oil, and this increasing production has the potential to greatly benefit both the United States and Guyana, and help thwart China’s attempts to achieve energy dominance.”

China is also a key stakeholder in the local oil-and-gas sector, but Smith believes that America must be committed to outcompeting the Asian nation around the world.

“America must be committed to outcompeting China around the world, while strengthening key American supply chains, increasing U.S. production of affordable energy resources, and improving partnerships with allies in the Western Hemisphere and beyond.

“Our delegation’s meetings have shown how U.S. bilateral relationships in the region benefit American workers, and provide a much-needed alternative to countries that might otherwise orient their economies towards China. An energy boom in Guyana can help American workers, while also benefiting the people of Guyana and their economy,” the Ways and Means Committee Chairman related.