‘Guyana welcomes all of the Caribbean’ – Min Jordan

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, September 12, 2019

Guyana has opened its arms to welcome all CARICOM residents.

On behalf of the Coalition Government, Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordan is extending this welcome.

During his address at the opening of the Massy Mega Store, the minister made the offer to those seeking a safer climate free from earthquakes, volcanoes and hurricanes, persons interested in conducting business or just to spend time with friends.

Referring to, “the flood of 2005” which wiped out 60% of Guyana’s GDP for that year, the finance minister noted it demonstrated how vulnerable the coast, was to the effects of climate change effects. He posited, however, that even that flood paled in comparison to, “the horrific damage and destruction heaped on the Bahamas by Hurricane Dorian.”

Extending condolences to those affected in the Bahamas by Hurricane Dorian, Minister Jordan expressed hope that Bahamians and other CARICOM family members “will see Guyana as their go-to country.”

He described Guyana as a “tropical paradise whose vaunted potential is about to be turned into unimagined prosperity.”

According to the Finance Minister, Guyana’s projected economic growth rates will move from “moderation to explosion”, some 4.5% for 2019; to 33.5% in 2020 and 22.9% in 2021. This has garnered the title of the fastest-growing economy in the world by the American stock exchange the NASDAQ. He noted that Guyana is poised to become the ‘Green Dubai of the Caribbean’.

On September 1, the hurricane hit the Abaco Islands with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h). This makes it the strongest hurricane to affect the Bahamas. The latest report that the official death toll stands at 50 with 2,500 persons reported missing and over $625Billion (US$3Billion) in damage.