–urges popular logistics company to explore opportunities, extend services
GUYANA is positioned to emerge as a pivotal transshipment hub, fostering vital connections between South America and the global arena.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday met with DHL Caribbean executives, urging them to explore opportunities and extend services to northern Brazil from Guyana.
Given Guyana’s strategic geographical location on South America’s edge, it stands as the shortest and most cost-effective route for Brazilian exports through the Panama Canal.
President Ali envisions Guyana evolving into a key transshipment hub, highlighting the importance of DHL’s commitment to enhancing its services.
DHL, led by CEO Richard Saavedra, aims to not only strengthen its operations, but also contribute to Guyana’s role as a transport-centric route to the Atlantic Ocean for northern Brazil’s imports and exports.
In collaboration with CARICOM counterparts Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana is actively pursuing a ferry service to facilitate cargo and passenger transport.
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is supporting this initiative, emphasising its commitment to improving food security, and fostering regional cooperation.
President Ali had previously revealed ongoing discussions for a specialised ferry service with Aruba, catering specifically to the transportation of agricultural produce.
Highlighting Guyana’s potential as a major transport hub, he envisions the country becoming the gateway between South America and the world, unlocking vast opportunities for investments and trade.
The President stressed the need for structured mechanisms to harness the potential of inter-regional trade among the Caribbean, South America, and Africa.
The Head of State had underscored the importance of building transportation links via sea and air to achieve greater integration.
Guyana’s strategic significance was reaffirmed during a trilateral meeting among President Ali, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva and Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi.
The leaders issued a joint declaration, setting the stage for a comprehensive strategic roadmap with working groups in infrastructure, energy, and security.
Notable projects, such as the full paving of the Linden-Lethem Road, are intended to enhance connectivity and facilitate the movement of agricultural and mineral products between Brazil and Guyana.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest) Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, during a previous interview with this newspaper, had highlighted the transformative potential of Guyana’s strategic position, foreseeing a substantial increase in investments across various sectors.
This is so because, in his view, a journey that would take days using the Amazon River would be reduced to a matter of hours via road transportation.
