Brazilians eager to invest in Guyana – local delegation impressed with land utililisation by Brazilian farmers

GINA, GUYANA, Thursday, May 11, 2017

Brazilian Investors are enthusiastic about investing in Guyana. This was highlighted when a 12- member Guyanese team recently made a three-day Trade and Investment Exploratory Mission to Brazil, and participated in several rounds of discussions with investors in the State of Roraima, Boa Vista.

The Guyanese team visited a number of farms in Roraima, where they experienced firsthand Brazilian farming techniques. It was highlighted that the farm lands in Brazil are used all year round and different crops are planted on the same land. The GL&SC team was very impressed with this discovery. Soyabean planting was very popular among the farms visited, in addition to livestock.

The GL&SC team held discussions with the President of the Land Institute of Roraima State, Alyson Rogers Soars Macedon. GL&SC Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Commissioner Trevor Benn, related to the President that the GL&SC was impressed with the utilisation of land in Boa Vista and that the commission would like to have a relationship with the Land Institute, hence, a Memorandum of Understanding was proposed between the two entities. The two entities will exchange expertise and share information in the future relating to leasing and utilisation of land in the State of Roraima. Additionally, a courtesy call was made to Governor of Roraima, Suely Campos who assured the Commissioner and the CEO of the GL&SC that talks will continue between the two entities that will deepen cooperation.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, on the second day, through an interpreter delivered the feature address at the investors’ forum at the Federation of Industries building in the State of Roraima. Minister Gaskin said that now is the right time for the private sector to take the lead and seize the opportunities created by the bi-lateral agreement between the two countries.

The Business Minister said, “That there has always been an expectation that our private sectors will seize the opportunity to emulate the

spirit of governments and seek out areas for cross -border cooperation. We have seen this happen in the gold mining sector and now we’d like to see this cooperation extend to the agriculture and other sectors.”

Minister Gaskin highlighted that Guyana has the land, the labour and the link to the Atlantic which makes Guyana a good partner for the state of Roraima. “Agriculture and agro-processing are priority economic sectors for our country, and our government welcomes collaboration with partners who have the experience, the expertise and the technology to grow and process foods for international markets,” Minister Gaskin said.

“Guyana does not see its future confined to the fortunes of the oil industry. We welcome these developments, and we will govern Guyana’s oil sector in a way that benefits the people in Guyana today, and the people who will inhabit our country tomorrow.”

Minister Gaskin stated that even though Guyana is developing in the oil sector, the true value of the country lies in what the country has preserved.  Minister Gaskin made mention of the industrial estate which is being developed in Lethem which will create opportunities, not just for Guyanese, but also for Brazilian investors to set up processing and production facilities in a location which is conducive to business, and well integrated into the transportation link between the two countries.

Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot, thanked the State of Roraima for their confidence in Guyana. Ambassador Talbot said that such initiatives will strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Additionally, Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana Lineu Pupo de Paula said he was happy that such a large delegation went to Brazil. Ambassador de Paula said that efforts were made in the past for such an event to take place which proved futile, but, “I am confident that this venture will be successful this time around.”

The local team comprised members of the Ministry of Business, the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC) and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The aim of the visit was to bring together decision makers in the relevant Guyanese agencies with serious Brazilian investors who are interested and ready to invest in large scale agribusiness in Guyana.

Members of the Brazil delegation were the Federation of Industries of the State of Roraima, Brazil, Social Service of Industries (SESI), Euvaldo Lodi Institute (IEL); and the Council President of the National Services of Professional Education (SENAI).

On the third day, presentations were made by the CEO of the Guyana Office for Investment, (GO-Invest), Owen Verwey to investors present on the requirements to invest in Guyana.

The GL&SC team presented to the investors the lands that are available in Guyana and what they can be used for. Additionally, requirements

for leasing lands were also highlighted.  From the Ministry of Agriculture, CEO of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NAREI), Dr. Oudho Homenauth and CEO of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Nigel Cumberbatch made presentations on agronomy and provided relevant information on agriculture and the livestock industry.

Minister Gaskin and the Guyana delegation visited an abattoir. The Ministry of Agriculture team was very impressed by visit and stated that they will be working to bring such an initiative to Guyana.

The sustainable development of the States of Roraima and Amazonas in Brazil are integrally linked to the development of Guyana. In addition to being of the same ecological region, Roraima has a long historical link with Guyana. The prospects for trade growth between Guyana and Roraima are promising. Among the many commercial activities with growth potential, it can be highlighted that Roraima State can produce and export soybean and soybean meal to Guyana and third markets. Guyana can export to Brazil, fertilizer and other agricultural materials. At the same time Roraima and other Brazilian States can produce on public lands assigned under the land leasing regime of the Government of Guyana, contributing to the expansion of the cultivation areas in the geo-economic region and its consolidation as a food production platform to the world.

 

By: Gabreila Patram