PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali and Jamaica’s Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Thursday held high-level bilateral talks aimed at deepening co-operation between the two Caribbean nations, with discussions focusing on technology, education, energy, security, agriculture, housing, and government efficiency.
The engagement formed part of Prime Minister Holness’s two-day state visit to Guyana and underscored the commitment of both countries to strengthening their long-standing partnership and expanding collaboration in areas critical to national and regional development.
“The engagement focused on further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Guyana and Jamaica and advancing co-operation on matters of mutual interest, including but not limited to technology, education, energy, security, government efficiency, agriculture, and housing, among other areas of collaboration,” a statement posted to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s Facebook disclosed.
Prime Minister Holness is visiting Guyana at the invitation of President Ali.
The two leaders had held bilaterial talks back in February on the sidelines of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Guyana’s rapidly expanding energy and agricultural sectors present new opportunities for further collaboration, particularly in strengthening CARICOM’s agenda in reducing the regional food-import bill and building capacity in food production.
The Government of Jamaica has repeatedly identified food security as a national priority.
The discussion then focused on the expansion of investment, improving technology transfer, and enhancing co-operation in regional security are critical amidst the growing regional confrontation of transnational crime and emerging geopolitical pressures.
President Ali had noted that over the past few years, Guyana has engaged in “expressive amounts of bilateral revolution in social security” and emphasised ongoing efforts to coordinate on security challenges in the region.
He said the goal is to ensure better coordination among countries in addressing regional security issues.
