Guyana is prepared for the opening of the Takutu Bridge at any time but the commissioning is likely to take place by October and not next month as was previously anticipated, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett says.
While it is basically completed, Rodrigues-Birkett said that the governments of Guyana and Brazil are to arrive at an appropriate time for the commissioning of the bridge which was built with Brazilian funding under the supervision of the Brazil army engineering corps.
Asked if the opening was delayed due to a state of unpreparedness, she said that Guyana was ready for the opening of the bridge at any time. However, she reiterated that an agreed time has to be arrived at between the two countries and they were working on this. “That is why I said it would be commissioned by October.”
Initially the Guyana government had been looking at July 23, 2008 as a tentative date for the opening. However, at a workshop sponsored by the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisa-tion (ACTO), Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Ministry of Tourism to focus on ‘Planning for the Takutu Bridge Tourism Opportunity’ last week, participants discussed a number of issues still outstanding including the issue of motor vehicle insurance.
In getting ready for the tourism industry to take advantage of the opening of the Guyana/Brazil border which the bridge would facilitate, the workshop suggested that the Guyana/Brazil Partial Scope Agreement, which at present facilitates limited trade across the border, should take into account the needs of the tourism industry.
The workshop noted that there would be opportunities for the development of infrastructure to boost tourism; establishing multi-lingual institutions; an increase in visitors bringing increased revenue for the sector; new markets for products; and employment opportunities.
Multi-lingual
In all these areas they pointed to the need for training of customs and immigration officials, police, tour guides and medical staff being coursed in foreign languages, particularly Por-tuguese.
Some of the participants, who hailed from Lethem, noted the need for training to “significantly improve” the attitudes of customs and immigration officials when dealing with visitors.
They noted that on a “good day” on the weekends, about 200 vehicles would cross the border but the time consumed in processing is generally too lengthy and bad for business.
In terms of other facilities that could be offered at Lethem, they noted the need for duty-free shops and a Brazilian consulate to accommodate visa processing for non-Guyanese travelling to Lethem and who may wish to cross the border on arrival there.
The participants also spoke of the need for continuous upgrading and maintenance of the road from Linden to Lethem and the need for an improved crossing at Kurupukari.
Tourist attractions
The issue of security on the borders was also considered in view of trafficking in narcotics, smuggling of gold and diamonds and to a lesser degree cattle rustling. Participants from Lethem noted that there are some 900 listed crossings on the border where persons can cross illegally at any time.
In terms of tourism product development to attract visitors from Brazil, participants noted that the annual rodeo at Lethem could be upgraded to an international rodeo and trade fair and an international safari could also be promoted.
Nature tourism with attractions in the Kanuku Reserve, the Iwokrama International Conservation Project and the Canopy Walkway, and fishing festivals in Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice); and sports tourism, particularly football and cycling were also highlighted as attractions that could boost tourism to the area. They also noted the need to upgrade sporting facilities at Tabatinga in Lethem and the Mackenzie Sports Complex.
Mashramani and kite-flying at Easter were also highlighted among other tourist attractions to be promoted between Guyana and Brazil and intra-regionally.
