“New turning point in relations with China” – PM

─ under “Belt and Road Initiative” $50Billion in development projects could be accessed by Guyana

DPI, Guyana, Monday, July 30, 2018

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in his weekly column, ‘My Turn’ noted that the relationship between Guyana and China have reached a new turning point.

The Prime Minister’s observation comes as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and Chinese Ambassador Cui Jianchun, on Friday, signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries on cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative.

Prime Minister Nagmootoo added that under the “Belt and Road Initiative” $50Billion in development (grant/aid) projects could be accessed by Guyana.

“In the long-run, we could be great even if we get a small piece of the Chinese pie which is translated in its 2017-2021 profile into US$8Trillion in imports; $750Billion in investment abroad; and 700 million outbound Chinese tourists.”

He added that has Guyana maintained a “one China” policy and is confident the friendship would be consolidated under the Coalition Government of President David Granger.

The Prime Minister explained that with China reaching the status of a highly developed, prosperous state, Guyana could pursue some of the available transformative projects that could make “our nation both green and great.” These would include a modern airport and multiple-lane highways on the coast (now being completed), financing support in private-public partnership arrangements for the bridges across the Demerara and Essequibo rivers, the Lethem-Linden-Georgetown highway; deep-water Demerara/Berbice harbours; housing schemes and industrial parks that are self-sufficient with clean, renewable solar energy and high-speed ICT connectivity.

It was highlighted that the Chinese Association and the Guyana-China Friendship Society have also worked over the years to build cultural relations that not only maintain the bonds between Guyanese Chinese and their ancestral homeland but promoted trade and business that has become a dominant feature of commerce and cuisines in Guyana.

“Today, I feel pride, like so many others, in playing a small role both as a government minister and a practising attorney, to bring Guyana and China closer. It started with access by Guyanese to all-day CCTV programmes, training of Guyanese journalists and encouraging Chinese investment in Guyana.”

By: Gabreila Patram