The advent of oil and gas and its positive implications for the country’s economy has afforded the Government of President Irfaan Ali the opportunity to focus on creating a foreign policy apparatus that will enable it to strengthen relations with the rest of the international community, not least those countries in the region and the hemisphere, some of which share historical experiences in common with Guyana. President Ali has, himself, been a frequent traveler, his itinerary having to do mostly with the strengthening of economic ties with countries in the Caribbean, the Middle East and South America, mostly.
Whereas language, for the most part, has limited official visits from Guyana to other countries in South America (with the exception of Suriname and Brazil) President Ali last week paid a visit to the Dominican Republic, the reason for which, according to official reports, was to sign agreements aimed at boosting trade and otherwise strengthening the country’s petro relations with the rest of the hemisphere.