High level Aquaculture conference for next week -President Ali

His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced the hosting of a high-level aquaculture conference slated for next week. The Head of State was speaking at the Guyana/European Union joint press conference earlier today.

The aquaculture conference will be attended by stakeholders, potential investors, and other specialists in aquaculture.

“Aquaculture has important and recognisable benefits for Guyana and we are naturally positioned because of our geography, because of the type of water we have, to become a major player in aquaculture and with the imminent cost of energy that will be reduced ahead of us, we have to start preparing for the benefits,” President Ali stated.

The President said the conference will help Guyana define a “pathway as to how we can develop the aquaculture industry to the extent that we are globally competitive and become a serious player in the market.”

Dr. Ali said Guyana is known for wild and fresh caught produce, but pointed out that the market place requires a product that can come from aquaculture.

The Head of State noted that agriculture diversification, industrialisation, manufacturing, a sustainable energy sector and finding essential synergies are critical for the development path that the country is on.

The reason for heading in such a direction is to ensure Guyana’s foundation does not hinge on one pillar, thereby widening the country’s revenue base, the President said.

On December 1, Government commenced discussions with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to source funding to reinvigorate the agriculture sector. The meeting was led by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and IFAD Country Director Ms. Maija Peltola.