-DR Ambassador to Guyana Torres-Pereyra says Guyana attracting eyes of the international community

AS Guyana prepares for the visit of former United States (US) President, Bill Clinton, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic (DR) to Guyana, Ernesto Torres-Pereyra, says the former statesman has his eyes set on learning more about the emerging powerhouse in South America.

He explained that Clinton’s visit marks the manifestation of how Guyana is becoming the focus of the international community.

The Ambassador made these statements during an interview on Saturday at the DR Embassy, Pegasus Hotel Seawall Road, Kingston.

In his opening remarks, he stated: “We’re extremely excited with the recent developments and with the possibility through the chamber of commerce and bringing in former President William Jefferson Clinton to Guyana. That shows that truly Guyana is the focus of the international community for good reasons.”

He added, “I think that the most important drivers of the whole process of development of this country besides the government… [is the] private sector. So, in the case of President Clinton, he has [a] very close relationship to key players in the private sector of the Dominican Republic and he expressed his desire to understand more the about the process that has been taking place here in Guyana.”

While underscoring that the highly-anticipated visit from the former U.S. President shows the level of trust in Guyana, Torres-Pereyra said, “Trust is essential when it comes to investment.”
He also spoke about what it means for him and Guyana to have the highly respected former President visit these shores.

“For me as an as ambassador, of course, I mean, hosting a personality of his caliber, personally and professionally means a lot. But when it comes to Guyana, I believe it sends the message that for good reasons, Guyana is attracting attention.”

Speaking more on what is to come with President Clinton’s visit, the Ambassador said: “The discussions will centre as I believe precisely, in how to generate an atmosphere that is favourable for investment.

“I think the type of collaboration that both countries can achieve because of the experience that we have in certain areas, already the mistakes that we’ve made in certain areas and how we found solutions to those situations, will be very favourable for Guyana during the process that you are in.”

With the teachings from successful businessmen and the former U.S. statesman, Torres-Pereyra stated that with Guyana’s uniqueness not only in its resources but also its society, the country has the ability to demonstrate to the world how it can live in peace and harmony.

“You can show the world how to live in peace and harmony and on top of that, now you have the good leadership and the resources to build your society upon those values.

“So, receiving people like former President Clinton and a set of high-profile businessmen that have been very successful in their own fields with examples of failure and success, it can serve also to give you more alternatives on how to conduct your own process.”

“We have felt like home here. To be honest, it felt like home,” Torres-Pereyra happily stated while underscoring the deep trust that has been established between the DR and Guyana.

Clinton will be participating in the United Caribbean Forum, which is scheduled to take place on March 26, 2024, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The forum aims to unite business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts from across the Caribbean to discuss vital topics that will be key to help propel Guyana’s development for the future.

Some of the featured topics will be regional energy security, coworking spaces & call centres, workforce housing communities, tourism, carbon credits, hospitality and real estate development.

While highlighting the importance of Clinton’s visit, the Ambassador said that officials from Punta Cana will also be at the forum.

“The fact that they [group from Punta Cana] come together with President Clinton…it will send a message to the world that we trust, we trust the institutional base and legal framework in Guyana,” he said.