Prime Minister Samuel Hinds says Guyana continues to benefit greatly from the assistance it received through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency press release, India established the ITEC programme in September 1964 which benefits 140 countries.
In his address at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission on Tuesday to mark the programme’s 48th anniversary, the prime minister lauded India’s extraordinary generosity for initiating the programme soon after its independence, for the benefit of its sister nations who had also just gained independence.
Hinds said the Guyana Government is extremely appreciative of the support it received from the Indian Government under the Indian Line of credit for various projects, including assistance for the construction of the Specialty Hospital at Liliendaal and previously for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence which was built by an Indian firm, Shapoorji Pallonji and Company.
“We applaud the many achievements made in our long standing relationship,” Hinds said, adding that “It is important for us to build on our strong cultural ties and deep bonds of friendship which we have nurtured over the past four decades.”
The prime minister also spoke of many instances of collaboration between Guyana and India, noting Guyana’s participation in the international seminar on Energy Assessment in New Delhi recently, and the staging of the Indian Science fair in August. He said the exhibits were of a high standard and displayed the “great innovation and vision of the Indian scientists.” Hinds was also pleased to note that India had expressed an interest in assisting Guyana with establishing a science centre, adding that government is hopeful that this project will soon come to fruition.
