In light of narco-trafficking between Guyana and the USA, an increase in commercial trade would be more easily accomplished with the achievement of mutual port security that is of a “high confidence level”, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy Karen Williams says.
Speaking to this newspaper yesterday during an interview, Williams noted that while the trade relationship between Guyana and the US was “not bad” there is a focus on finding ways to increase this trade. The Chargé d’Affaires opined that one of the hindrances to increasing trade was the lack of infrastructure, such as ports. She said too that if there is oil in the country, the construction of a deep water port would offer tremendous opportunities.
Williams also acknowledged the impact that the narco-trade had on commercial trade between the two countries. “One can’t say that it is not a problem because definitely…things have been seized,” she said. She was, however, quick to point out that the drug problem was not unique to Guyana alone. “It is not a unique issue to Guyana,” she said noting that “drug traffickers try every means, shape and form that they can to get their products in and out of countries…”
“Port security is very important to us”, Williams said. According to her, officials from the US Coast Guard, who are experts in port security, travel to Guyana and meet with the managers of both private and public port facilities. These officials advise and offer assessments on the local facilities, she explained.
The Chargé d’Affaires said too that there “won’t be a lessening of port security in the US” and she noted that plans are on stream to ensure tighter control and searching of containers. She pointed to the USA forging partnerships with the port security in countries with which trade is being conducted, saying that when these partnerships reach “a high confidence level…the facilitation of trade becomes much easier.”
Williams said too that issues concerning maritime and port security do form part of the discussions on the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). The CBSI represents a collaboration between the countries in the region and the US to address the issue of security.
Meanwhile, speaking about the current trade between the two countries, Williams said that the Guyana Trade and Investment Service (GTIS) project that is being done through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been “very successful and a good role model”. This programme has opened the door for non-traditional niche markets, such as aqua-culture and areas in the wood working industry, Williams pointed out.
Williams said too that efforts are also made to connect local entrepreneurs with US businesses. Additionally, she pointed out that there are also Diaspora groups which seek to help Guyanese businesses to develop.
In May last year, then President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Ramesh Dookhoo called for expanded trade between Guyana and the USA, in light of statistics from Go-Invest website, which showed that exports dropped from $24.8 billion in 2003 to $19.8 billion in 2007. Since then though, the statistics on the website have not been updated.