–country to host major conferences, high-level delegations from around the world
–ongoing infrastructural projects will be completed and new, major projects will commence, President Ali says
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has said that 2024 will be a significant year for all, as more initiatives will be rolled out to better everyone’s lives.
He made this announcement during his address at the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC)’s 31st Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony.

“Our development must leave no one behind,” he firmly remarked.
As he reflected on the important roles that Guyana will play in both the international and regional arena, the President highlighted that the nation is gearing up to assume its non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on January 1, 2024.

Additionally, Guyana will be assuming Chairmanship of CARICOM and will be hosting the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, and the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting next year.

As the nation continues to build relationships, the President said that in February 2024, Guyana will be hosting “high-level” delegations from Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Rwanda, among other countries.
The President also said that the Urban Renewal Plan will be commencing next year and this is an investment from a Qatari group.

He said: “That will open up tremendous opportunities along the Carifesta highway, and bring into realisation a plan of modern boardwalk along the seawall. This is the year that we’ll see new shore bases commencing.”

Further, while expounding on the expansion and completion of local projects, Dr. Ali said that 2024 will be the year that we will see the Wales Development Authority (WDA) moving towards implementation.

“Guyana will be aggressively positioning itself globally in the energy, food, climate and environmental services, ecological and biodiversity services. We’ll be unloaded on global focus areas as pillars of the economy moving forward,” Dr Ali said.
With the nation aiming to continue making a name for itself, Dr Ali emphasised that developmental works will be pursued and all citizens can expect a more enhanced Guyana.

On the subject of infrastructure, come 2024, the President said that Guyanese will see the Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam highway completed and works commencing on the Buzz Bee Dam to Soesdyke Highway.
“This is bonus… the programme that we were elected on did not have this,” he said, while underscoring the massive road works that his administration has pursued.

In addition to this, by mid next year, the Schoonord to Crane four-lane by-pass will be completed. Moreover, the signing and commencement of the Corentyne River Bridge that will connect Guyana to Suriname will occur in 2024.

“We’ll see substantive completion or completion of the New Demerara Bridge…continuation of Ogle-Eccles bypass to Providence…,” the President said while expounding on the plans in progress for easing traffic woes.
He also stated that before the end of this year, the government will be signing the contract for the construction of the new Wismar four-lane bridge

Guyanese can expect to see the completion of the fortified superhighway bridges to Lethem and work commencing on the finalisation of a model for the Kurupukari Bridge, and the commencement of the New Amsterdam Creek Road project.

The President said: “We’ll see the completion of many of our new hospitals and schools, but we’ll see expanded collaboration and partnership with universities, teaching and research medical institutions around the Western Hemisphere,” adding: “We’re going to launch a special initiative on innovation completion of the development of the regional food hub…”

He also touched on the efforts being made to upskill and provide opportunities for young people and the plans to have 2,000 persons trained for nearshoring jobs related to the oil sector.
In 2024, the government will commence the operation of the first innovative drug development programme which will apply the best technology.

ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL
“This is the year that we will be moving forward on the building of three new stadiums and the completion with the stadium in Anna Regina,” he said while adding: “We’re at the final stages, of negotiating the hosting of the women’s CPL in Essequibo, next year.”

In Regions Three and Six, he stated that there will be the commencement of a new stadium along with the completion of the football and cricket stadiums in Region 10.
Among other notable events, the President said that Guyana is hosting the Cricket World Cup and finals of the Cricket Carnival.

“…We are already acutely aware with the fact that once we develop this capacity with all these new rules and new hotels a new restaurant we have to be able to bring people bring in, bring consumers in…,” the President said.