Guyana has signed an Agreement on Political Consultations with Guatemala that would provide a mechanism for both countries to develop coordinated positions on several matters and allow regular exchanges on areas of common interest on the regional and international agendas.
Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett signed the agreement with her counterpart, Guatemala Foreign Minister Luis Fernando Carrera Castro during a two day visit to that country on January 15 and 16. She was accompanied by Foreign Service Officer II Jevon Rodrigues, a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Rodrigues-Birkett also met with President of the Sugar Association of Guatemala Fraterno Vila, who had expressed an interest in working with Guyana in the sugar sector.
A private miller and farmer, Vila has more than 35 years of experience in sugar and owns one of the most efficient and productive companies in the sugar sector. He guided the minister on a tour of his operations.
Guatemala is ranked as the fourth largest sugar exporter in the world in terms of efficiency and productivity. Guyana will continue to engage Guatemala in cooperation in this sector, the press release said.
Rodrigues-Birkett also had discussions with officials in the tourism, sugar and handicraft sectors. Guatemala has a developed handicraft industry which is closely linked to the tourism sector. At a meeting with officials from these two sectors, assistance was offered to Guyanese women to develop the handicraft industry.
Though Guyana and Guatemala established diplomatic relations in 1992, bilateral relations have been dormant, the ministry said. Rodrigues-Birkett had invited Carrera to Guyana to revitalise those relations and he paid a working visit in August 2013.
