Sweden has bestowed its second highest national award, the Commander of the Polar Star, on Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis, in recognition of his service as Guyana’s honorary consul to that nation, even as another Banks executive, Shabbir Hussain, was formally presented with his instrument to serve as Guyana’s new envoy to that country.
At a brief ceremony held on Wednesday, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds lauded the relations between the two countries and the aid that Sweden has provided to Guyana, particularly in maritime training, a Government Information Agency (GINA) report said.
In a speech at the ceremony, Reis said that his service and role as honorary consul broadened his perspectives and his initial
expectations. It “made me see the job of honorary consul in new and different ways. This is certainly a most rewarding, enlightening experience and for this I am grateful and appreciative to the Swedish government and all who have made this possible,” he said. Reis then extended felicitations and support to Hussain, as he assumes the post. He said the award represents a “changing of the guard” and noted that the emblem and the Swedish flag will remain in Bank’s Thirst Park headquarters.
According to GINA, Sweden has been instrumental in assisting Guyana and other Caricom member states in areas including scholarships, surveillance applications, solar energy, and environmental monitoring, climate change, the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (UNATT), and the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, Swedish Ambassador Claes Hammar spoke highly of Hussain’s distinguished career and “his strong dedication to the youth in Guyana.”
“I was very impressed to hear about that when I was here in April. Mr. Hussain has done a lot to help young people here to move away from activities that they should not be involved in, and into things like music and culture and such things. I think that says a lot about his dedication to his country and its people,” he said.
In reply, Hussain thanked the governments of Sweden and Guyana for accepting his nomination to the post. “At this stage, I pledge to do all in my capacity to provide the best possible service in order to benefit, both my country Guyana and Sweden, and also to work closely with other honorary consuls who are representing their countries in Guyana. It will be the greatest privilege to discharge my duties with excellence by executing all that is required of me, and with a passion for success, and to deliver all that is necessary,” he said.
