-Canadian High Commissioner says, notes trade between two countries totalled over CA$300M in 2023

CANADIAN High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman, has said that Canada stands with Guyana in relation to the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela and indicated that his country calls for the respect of international law.

The High Commissioner made these remarks late last week, during a reception hosted at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in observance of the 157th anniversary of Canada’s confederation.

Berman, during his brief remarks, indicated that Canada was doing its best to work side by side with Guyana as the relationship between the two countries has deep historic links.

“Canada has always been a close friend to Guyana and we will continue to strengthen the relationship to achieve your economic and social development goals,” he said.

Against this backdrop, the high commissioner indicated that the Canadian Government was concerned with the tensions between Guyana and Venezuela and reiterated that they stand with the Guyanese people and the government.

He said: “We stand with the government and we call for respect of the rule of international law.”

Meanwhile, Berman told the gathering that the two countries not only share a multilateral relationship on the global and regional stage but also are bilateral trade partners.

To this end, he highlighted that, in 2023, bilateral trade figures reached almost $350 million and added that while those numbers showed an opportunity for further growth, they were being driven by the shared commitment to economic development.
Further to this, the high commissioner remarked that these are currently unprecedented times for Guyana as the country’s economic growth and transformation are unmatched.

Berman expressed that it was a privilege to witness the transformation and take part in the moment he described as historical.

During the reception, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to enriching bilateral relations with Canada.

He too indicated that the long-standing relationship between the two nations is deeply rooted in a foundation evident in the diaspora connection and the shared history.