In the area of International Cooperation, the Ministry of
Foreign Trade and International Cooperation's mandate is to service as a
National Focal Points for all forms of technical and functional cooperation. The
Ministry coordinates TCDC and ECDC modalities
including technical support from bilateral and multilateral
donors. Thus, in consultation with government Ministries, public
sector
agencies and the private sector the Ministry's immediate
task is to support and promote Guyana's National Development objectives.
In this regard, heavy emphasis is placed on attracting
investment and identifying Joint Venture partners to assist in the
transformation of the economy which is anticipated in the
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and the National Development Strategy.
Since its establishment, the Ministry has devoted
considerable attention to strengthening relations with bilateral economic
partners
in an effort to mobilize resources for the agricultural, education, health and
private sector among others.
On the bilateral front, as it relates to Brazil, an
International Road Transport Agreement was tabled and initiatives were
taken to
stimulate cooperation between EMBRAPA and NARI. A
Regional Seminar was organized in collaboration with the Brazilian
Cooperation Agency. This activity provided benefits
to the agriculture sector.
Under the auspices of the Guyana/Cuba Joint
Commission, this Ministry has been able to source technical and human
resources for
the agriculture, health, education, culture and sports and trade sectors for the
next work programme, 2003.
Moreover, this Ministry has been taking initiatives to
intensify relations and at the same time it has been monitoring and
promoting
technical and functional cooperation.
Additionally, this department is continues to monitor
initiatives with Japan to have the New Amsterdam Hospital Rehabilitation
Project realized. The Department was also able to facilitate for the acquisition of Japanese
Non-project Grant Aid for the new
Secretariat for the Caribbean
Community-CARICOM.
As it relates to our bilateral cooperation programme with
CARICOM, several initiatives of the Guyana/Trinidad and Tobago trade
and
cooperation programme is under consideration. The department is also
reviewing proposals for the resuscitation of the
Guyana/Jamaica Joint Commission.
Consultations and coordinated efforts was also given to
enhancing bilateral relations with countries such as India, China, Russian
Federation, Brazil, Cuba, Columbia, Malaysia, Japan, South
Korea, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Commonwealth of Dominica,
Barbados and Mexico.
A review of existing investment agreements concluded with
the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany was concluded
and agreements which have been idle and are in line for
conclusion are being vigorously pursued these include, South Korea and
Switzerland.
The entire thrust of the Department for the first quarter
of 2003 and beyond would be to continue to monitor and promote further
cooperation initiatives in the existing areas as well as to
identify investment opportunities and encourage investment and trade
promotion for the stimulation of economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. Bilateral economic
cooperation programmes
with Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela, Suriname, China,
India and South Korea will be given priority attention in 2003.