Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Nicole Giles says Canada is keen to share experiences in the development of its extractive sector with Guyana.
Giles was speaking at a welcome reception held in her honour on November 6. She said, “Canada’s engagement in the Americas is a key foreign policy priority for the Government of Canada. Our goal is to expand and deepen Canada’s political, economic, trade, security and development agendas in Guyana while ensuring that they are mutually beneficial.”
The High Commissioner said that the expansion of the extractive sector presents unique opportunities and challenges and she believes that given Canada’s experience and investment in this sector, it is critical that Canada continues to support capacity building and to offer solutions for challenges both countries face.
In her speech released by the High Commission, she noted the key example of training for the mining sector, where Canada supports two distinct partnerships involving the Canadian College of North Atlantic: one with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to establish the “Mining School” in Guyana, the other is with the TVET Council and the Linden Technical Institute to strengthen training for heavy equipment operation and maintenance.
She stated “Our relationship is multifaceted. Economic cooperation is important but developments in other sectors are equally vital. There is an intrinsic interdependence between economic, social, political and security issues. For example, (a) secure and stable environment for investment depends upon the strength of Guyana’s social and political fabric”
Giles added that she was learning of the many “transformative activities” the government here has embarked on to better the lives of its citizens.
“This is a constant and arduous task in and of by itself, and with limited resources even more difficult.
This is why a collective approach, which leverages contributions from all stakeholders, is an intrinsic part of paving the way for a partnership-based approach to development that empowers and addresses the needs of Guyanese citizens as a whole”, she said.
Giles noted that Canada has been working on a wide range of development projects with its Guyanese partners. She added, “In order to achieve policy coherence between our trade, development and foreign policy objectives, my Government recently amalgamated what we now call `former CIDA’ into the department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. This has allowed us to ensure that our development and trade efforts are mutually supportive.”
She shared a few examples – the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) project which supports local initiatives in the farming, agro-processing, tourist and recreational facilities, manufacturing, small-scale arts and crafts, eco-based and organic foods and products, and eco-tourism sectors; and said that the launch of the Credit Bureau in Guyana will help increase the availability of credit to small and medium business to develop and expand.