Addressing a reception for a visiting, high-level US congress team on Friday, American Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch lauded the government here for making the country attractive for investors and underlined the importance of contract sanctity while at the same time stressing the need for the improvement of the lives of all Guyanese.
Welcoming the delegation from the powerful US House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee at her residence, Lynch felicitated the government here on the investment climate.
With President Irfaan Ali and a number of his Cabinet members present, Lynch said: “We applaud the Government of Guyana for the strides it has taken to make this country attractive to investors. They have been excellent partners in energy, agribusiness, and security. They are taking bold leaps to transform the financial, education, health, and tourism sectors. And, as you have seen, Representatives, in even your short time here, there are major infrastructure projects underway across the country, and the progress is constant. The government clearly wants to leverage the opportunities they are receiving, and the United States stands ready to assist”.
Amid unrelenting calls here for a renegotiation of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement with US oil major, ExxonMobil, Lynch waded into the issue and congratulated both this government and its predecessor for recognizing contract sanctity.
“Since first oil, Guyana’s political leaders have honored contractual commitments and continue to do so. This signals the importance of the sanctity of contracts – which is foundational to any economy and in particular Guyana as it continues to transform at a record pace”, Lynch told the gathering which also included Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton and members of the private sector.
As on other occasions where she has addressed domestic matters, Lynch alighted on inclusivity, transparency and fairness.
“While there are still challenges to overcome, we believe that meaningful discussions and continued inclusivity can foster solid relationships, and craft solutions to meet shared challenges. We encourage the government to keep striving towards transparency, accountability, and fairness to improve the quality of life for all Guyanese”, Lynch stated.
She added that over the years, the United States has been a steadfast partner in working with Guyana to overcome some of its critical challenges in the areas of governance, economic development, and security.
“In the future, we want to continue to help build a Guyana that is competitive, equitable, and provides upward social mobility for all its citizens. Leveraging our close economic links to bring greater prosperity and opportunities for the Guyanese people is an important cornerstone of our engagement here and we will continue to work with the government and people of Guyana towards achieving these objectives”, Lynch declared.
Addressing President Ali, she thanked him for his partnership and added “I think you know that the United States wants to remain Guyana’s largest trading partner by far, but even more importantly, we want to produce tangible results that benefit lives on both shores of the Caribbean and every island in between”.
Lynch’s reference to the US wanting to be Guyana’s largest trading partner was given context when earlier on Friday the visiting Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Jason Smith issued a press release saying that the US wanted greater participation in Guyana’s oil and gas sector and wanted to outcompete China.
Washington and Beijing have been jockeying for influence and contracts here since first oil but Smith, a businessman and a Republican, brought the matter to the front burner.
“We appreciate the productive conversation the delegation had with President Dr. Ali about the American–Guyanese bilateral relationship. Guyana’s abundant energy resources have the potential to lift its people out of poverty, help power the world, and ensure more affordable energy for American families and job creators. China also is participating in Guyana’s oil production. America must be committed to outcompeting China around the world while strengthening key American supply chains, increasing U.S. production of affordable energy resources, and improving partnerships with allies in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. Our delegation’s meetings have shown how U.S. bilateral relationships in the region benefit American workers and provide a much-needed alternative to countries that might otherwise orient their economies toward China. An energy boom in Guyana can help American workers while also benefiting the people of Guyana and their economy”, Smith said.
The visiting delegation was heavily Republican, a sign of the change that has occurred since the US mid-term elections gave the GOP a narrow majority in the House and control of the speakership.
In addition to Chairman Smith, the delegation comprised Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL), Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Congressman Mike Carey (R-OH), and Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND).
In a sign of the deepening US interest here, the congressional team’s visit was preceded by another two days earlier by an official from the office of US Vice President (VP), Kamala Harris.
The VP’s Special Advisor, Joseph Salazar and Deputy Director for Caribbean Affairs, Michael Taylor met with President Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to discuss strategies to strengthen energy security and promote climate resilience and adaptation in Guyana and the region. They also met with the opposition.
