While Canada remains committed to improving its relations with Guyana and the wider Caribbean, High Commissioner Mark Berman says that his country is seeking to diversify its trade relations with Guyana in an effort to contribute to the rebuilding of a resilient global economy.
The High Commissioner made the statement at a reception to commemorate Canada Day on Wednesday night.
He highlighted that in 2021, Canadian imports from Guyana totalled CAD$199.6 million and added that they are seeking to have that increased. The High Commissioner also said that the recent visit from the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion Small Business and Economic Development Mary Ng has cemented the commitment to improving relations between the two countries.
“Minister Ng and her team met with President [Irfaan] Ali, Vice President [Bharrat] Jagdeo and a number of members of the Cabinet as well as several business leaders and focused on establishing next steps and strengthening the bilateral trade and investment relationship between Canada and Guyana. And during her visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Canadian Commercial Corporation and Guyana’s government to facilitate the transfer of Canadian technology and expertise to the country as it invests in this infrastructure, information and communication technologies, aerospace, clean tech and security sectors.
“Canada has been a leading trade partner in Guyana for many, many years, and we’re proud of the continuous growth of our relationship. The establishment of the Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce has played a significant role in strengthening that relationship,” he related.
Berman said that he recently spent some time in Canada meeting with the private sector and he talked up opportunities for investment in Guyana and is now waiting for those discussions to translate into actions.
“Over the years the Canada-Guyana relationship continues to be enriched and I look forward to seeing more partnerships being built, and more projects being executed, including trade development and cultural exchanges between Canada and Guyana during the remainder of my tenure. Looking ahead, Canada is deeply committed to a coordinated approach on some of the most pressing issues such as climate change and food security that are facing the Caribbean region and the international community today,” he added.
The Diplomat said that Canada will continue to work closely with Guyana and the wider CARICOM region to ensure that critical issues facing the hemisphere, such as economic growth, impacts of climate change and democracy, are addressed in a coordinated way.
“Canada is committed to engaging with close partners, such as Guyana, to protect reform and renew the rules-based international order and to advance much needed and mutually beneficial interests at key international fora. We look forward to finding more innovative ways to pursue a diversified modern and inclusive trade agenda that supports all segments of society and I might note a key element of expanding Canada’s trade presence abroad is our responsible business conduct, our RBC. Canada will always advocate and stand up for human rights around the world,” he stated.
Additionally, Berman spoke on the areas where Canada and Guyana have been collaborating, while noting that assistance will continue to be given. He reminded that Canada has supported Guyana and the wider Caribbean during the early battles against the COVID-19 pandemic and that support is still ongoing in the form of the supply of vaccines and other medical necessities. Specifically, for Guyana, Berman said, Canada was instrumental in the development of the COVID-19 statistical dashboards and infographics by the Bureau of Statistics.
While admitting that Canada has had a troubled history with its treatment of its indigenous people, Berman said that the government is working to right those wrongs.
He added that Canada is working with both government and local organizations in Guyana on initiatives to promote gender equality and human rights, including those related to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Over the last year, according to Berman, Canada has funded a number of projects promoting gender equality with a focus on establishing LGBTQI+ rights through engagement, education and empowerment. He also reported that Canada is working with the government to address migration and addressing the needs of Venezuelan migrants.
…playing a greater role
Meanwhile, President Ali said that with the Canadian private sector playing a greater role in Guyana, Canada has also contributed significantly to the country’s development. He added that there are several areas in which the two countries share similar values and would continue doing so.
“We share with you principles of building regional relationships, that is why we continue to play a strong role in CARICOM and in expanding our relationship with Canada as a region not only at the trade level, not only at the developmental level but importantly at the policy coordination.
“We have been working with you at the national level and at the regional level [to] coordinate our approaches on many different issues, [for example] climate change, food security. There are important challenges facing not only our countries but the world and what is required is a very sane and balanced conversation in which leadership is exercised by every nation in which the reality of circumstances facing every nation is taken into consideration and building a national coalition that would enhance our prospect of living in a world that is free as far as possible, from the growing natural disasters,” Ali said.
He said that Canada is home to a large number of Guyanese migrants and has shown its commitment to supporting the betterment of people.
