The establishment of a ‘Saudi Arabian Desk’ in the Ministry of Finance is not out of the norm as it has been done in other bilateral relations in a bid to expedite and work around the bureaucracies, President Irfaan Ali said.
While speaking with reporters following the conclusion of a sod-turning for the Four Points by Sheraton, which he attended yesterday, Ali said that his much criticised offer was made to advance talks and projects. In the same breath, he also questioned the rationale behind the criticism of the announcement.
“I have worked in Ministry of Finance, in that ministry you have had a desk that support the Japanese Grant Aid Programme, focused on the grant aid and everything that came from Japan to expedite things. We had a CIDA desk, a USAID desk, these are people who never worked a day in public service… [for] every single bilateral relationship I can point to a desk that was assigned to remove bureaucracy and advance these projects… why suddenly there is an objection to a [Saudi Arabia] desk?” The president asked.
Ali also opined that the criticism was being levelled under the umbrella of “Islamophobia”.
Earlier this month, the president made the commitment to having the desk set up during the opening of the Guyana-Saudi Arabia Investment Engagement at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The Saudi delegation was headed by Badr AlBadr, the Deputy Minister for Investors Outreach and included at least 65 members of the private sector and multinational companies.
The President also pledged a portion of land for the Middle Eastern country to establish an embassy in Guyana.
When asked if the desk could not have been established in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or in the Guyana Office for Investment, the President responded, “We have one government in Guyana. The Foreign Affairs is a ministry under the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Finance is a ministry… You sure the desk is the problem?”
Traditionally, country desks are usually established at foreign ministries for the purpose of deeper study of relations with particular countries.
Nonetheless, Ali yesterday noted that his government is prepared and is working with countries ready to invest in Guyana. The Head of State said that they are looking at every single opportunity that is best suited for the development of the country and insisted “that is the only suitable objective.”
During his keynote address at the sod-turning yesterday, Ali asserted that the engagement with the Saudis “is no diplomatic blunder. It is a strategic move.”
“So let me be clear on all the headlines. It is absolutely no strategic blunder from this president. It is strategic. Every single partnership we align ourselves with, every single opportunity we go after is strategic in nature. It is not guesswork that saw the Saudis for the first time sending a high-level delegation to engage all of CARICOM leaders.”
“We are working with every single available resource that can bring benefit and unlock opportunities for this country,” Ali assured.
AlBadr said that his country is keen on investing in the Caribbean and seeks Guyana as a strategic partner. He added that the delegation includes decision-makers attached to some of the biggest investors from his country, and that they are ready to capitalise on the opportunities in Guyana.
“I am especially pleased to be leading this large delegation and it’s a historical moment. The large delegation of 65 includes heads of leading Saudi companies and investment institutions [along with] representatives from different Saudi ministries and agencies as well. We feel this visit is the start of a historical moment between Saudi Arabia and Guyana and this delegation is an excellent opportunity for you to see firsthand what we have to offer you and your companies.
“We believe in the opportunities and we very much want to develop the investments dialogue which we have recently begun with you. After all, one of the engines of growth for any economy is in investments. Investments lead to asset creation, which leads to enhanced production, employment and overall economic progress. And investments link the present with the future [and] investments now in productive assets will build the future and at the same time, stimulate current demand and supply.”
A number of presentations on potential areas of investment were also made by various ministers during the team’s visit.
The President was also criticised for being garbed at the event in manner similar to the head of the Saudi delegation.
