-says Administrator during visit
Deputy Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Isobel Coleman, on Thursday wrapped up a two-day visit to Georgetown where she met with senior government officials as well as civil society and business leaders, to discuss ways USAID could continue to support inclusive economic growth, shared prosperity, and good governance.
A release from the Agency on Thursday stated that in a meeting with President Irfaan Ali, Coleman expressed appreciation for Guyana’s leadership within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and at the UN Security Council, and discussed a broad range of issues including methods of promoting inclusive growth and skills development. The two also discussed regional migration, the rule of law, and Venezuela’s upcoming election, as well as ways to further deepen the US-Guyana relationship.
The Deputy Administrator also met with Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud where she reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to partnering with Guyananese leaders and organisations to advance inclusive economic growth, including its support to catalyze international financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Discussed as well was the continued collaboration around food security and addressing the impacts of climate change under the US Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC 2030).
Also on her agenda was a meeting with leading members of Guyanese opposition parties and civil society leaders. Coleman pointed out that USAID views civil society and open political debate as essential building blocks of democracy and development. The release said that she listened to their views on citizens’ involvement in local and national governance and participated in a roundtable discussion with US government counterparts and Guyanese business leaders to discuss trade, labour needs, and investment challenges, as well as opportunities in Guyana and the Caribbean region.
During a meeting with Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr Carla Barnett, the Deputy Administrator commended CARICOM’s leadership in regional security matters, and economic integration to drive resilience and development. She reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to partnering with CARICOM to address shared priorities, including climate change and cybersecurity.
Despite having a packed agenda, Coleman found time to deliver remarks at the Caribbean Investment Forum, where she highlighted USAID’s support for SMEs and reiterated the need for private sector investment to build inclusive and sustainable economic growth. At the Forum, she announced US$1.45 million in new funding to expand USAID’s Economic Development Accelerator – which presently supports small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Guyana – to additional SMEs in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, helping Caribbean entrepreneurs grow their businesses and reach new markets, the release added.
