RUSSIA and Guyana are set to co-operate in the areas of natural resources development and environmental management.

Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Robert Persaud, yesterday met with his counterpart from the Russian Federation, D.G. Khramov, in Moscow, where they explored areas of possible co-operation between the two ministries and related agencies.
Guyana and Russia, like several other countries, recently adopted a model of having a single ministry which embraces natural resources development and environmental management. Both sides recognised this as being consistent with the new global thinking that can contribute positively to the sustainable development thrust.
The areas identified for co-operation include technical support in mining, especially in the use of new technology to improve recovery, sharing experiences in the wider extractive industries, including oil and gas, and balancing natural resources development with environmental management.
It was agreed that the two sides will develop and consider a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to serve as the framework for co-operation. Minister Persaud urged for training opportunities in mining, oil and gas, as well as Russian experts being deployed to Guyana to support the growing extractive industry.
The Russian aluminum giant RUSAL has already invested heavily in Guyana’s bauxite industry, to the tune of more than US$100M. Another Russian-British Company is pursuing interest in the gold mining sector.
The Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, D.G. Khramov, noted that Russian companies are keen on doing business in Guyana. However, he urged the Government of Guyana to continue to ensure the necessary enabling support is provided.
Minister Persaud also met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, while in the country to attend a meeting with RUSAL, and he also attended a major International Bauxite/ Aluminum Conference.