Guyana hopeful for positive resolution on greenheart ban

GINA, GUYANA, Thursday, May 4, 2017

Talks between the Governments of Guyana and the United Kingdom (UK) are on-going in relation to the ban on greenheart lumber from Guyana into the UK.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge said while the ban was not specifically raised during the visit, the President did raise the importance of the UK market to Guyana during his one- on- one with the Queen.

“The importance of timber to us, and the properties of the various timbers, the importance of the UK market to us was raised,” Minister Greenidge said.

Minister Greenidge was a member of the delegation that made the official state visit to the UK in the latter part of April.

The Foreign Minister said that the UK High Commissioner has been meeting British authorities on Guyana’s behalf. “It is an on-going exercise between the High Commission which liaises with the timber exporters of Guyana and the UK, but they are aware of it,” Minister Greenidge pointed out.

The ban on greenheart lumber came under the previous administration. At that time relations between Guyana and the UK were at an all-time low.

Minister Greenidge added that Guyana is hopeful for an eventful resolution of the issue.

 

By: Tiffny Rhodius