THERE IS a famous saying that the wise come from the east taken from the Biblical story of Jesus’s birth. And so it is within this context that one has to internalize the nuances of Dr. Jagdeo’s visits to the Middle East.
Today we live in a world that is dominated by one set of countries; their domination stems from their undying greed as opposed to their need. This very greed has led to the collapse of the global financial system, turning many into paupers overnight as a result of the loss of jobs and homes.
Being the astute economist that he is, Mr. Jagdeo saw this coming; he knew that the greed of these countries would have detrimental effects globally, and that Guyana will also feel some of the effects.
What was his move? He decided to head to the Middle East to bolster relations with those countries who have huge resources which have been insulated from the global financial shocks. These countries happen to be Muslim countries, where the practise of interest-free banking is critical.
Mr. Jagdeo visited Libya, which provided debt write-offs; Iran, where agreements were signed to map Guyana’s geological resources; and Kuwait, where diplomatic relations were established. Visits were also made to Dubai and Amman, Jordan.
Much has been garnered from Mr. Jagdeo’s visits to these countries, and much more is to come. He is yet to visit Qatar, and here it is envisaged that Guyana will benefit enormously.  Saudi Arabia should also be on his list of countries, taking into account Guyana’s oil potential, and the amount of money coming to Guyana from there.
So it is no secret that Mr. Jagdeo’s trips were vindicated, but the benefits that it will yield will serve as an impetus to propel Guyana to greater heights.