Latest update January 18th, 2025 7:00 AM
Guyana/Venezuela Friendship Society to address welfare of fishermen
The welfare of Guyanese fishermen who operate along the borders of Guyana and Venezuela as well as the regularisation of trade links are among several issues which will be addressed by the recently established Guyana/Venezuela Friendship Society.
The society which was launched on April 5 last is controlled by a 12-member committee and has served to replace a similar entity which had become defunct over the years.
At a press conference held yesterday at the Venezuelan Cultural Centre, New Garden and Laluni Streets, Coordinating Secretary of the Society, Mr Jinnah Rahman outlined measures that will be engaged in order to realise the purpose of the society.
According to him, the society has as its focus activities which are geared at developing very close relationships with the people of both Guyana and Venezuela, even as trade links and cultural relations are boosted.
“We believe that it is important that we develop relationships with our neighbouring countries, particularly now that there are regional links through CARICOM and through organisations that have been set up such as Petro Caribe.”
Through such links, Rahman noted, countries such as Guyana stand to benefit considerably through the realisation of its independence in an economic sense as inter-country relationships improve.
He noted that the society hopes to be able to bridge some gaps through collaboration with counterpart organisations to realise the aims and objectives already outlined by the society.
And one of the more important factors to boost the relation, Rahman said, is to address the problem of illegal fishing at the Guyana/Venezuela border.
“We want to see legal fishing at the borders…We hope that through this entity that we can develop this relationship where our fishermen will be able to establish types of activities that are not deemed illegal.”
With similar urgency Rahman said that the issue of illegal trading, which is currently ongoing, will be examined.
“Currently there are lots of illegal trading going on which does not benefit citizens but only the traders who bring cheap goods from Venezuela and re-sell at an exorbitant price…Guyanese must be able to benefit from cheap products and (vice versa)…”
Even the removal of the requisite visa to travel to Venezuela is another factor that the society has already been addressing. Rahman said that it is believed that the visa issue is also one of concern to the Venezuelan Government. He added that discussions have already started at the local embassy level. “They are taking it up seriously and we hope that not very long from now that there can be free movement of people and trade between the two countries.”
In a release from the entity yesterday it was noted that the society aims includes giving full support to the friendship of the people of the target countries as well as to work closely with Guyanese and their families who reside in Venezuela and who support the progress of the people and the Government of Venezuela.
Bolstering of fraternal relations between the two countries are also an endeavour of the society which has already started fostering links with organisations of farmers, cooperatives and other masses organisations in Venezuela for the mutual benefit of both nations.
And in order to boost its membership locally, Rahman said the society will organise regular press release, exhibitions, seminars and other such activities to promote its work.
Additionally, literature of Venezuela will be made available to the University of Guyana even as the same is done in Venezuela to create awareness.
In addition to planning radio and television programmes to educate Guyanese about life in Venezuela, seminars have also been slated for this month on the development of the two countries. Also present at the conference yesterday was Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana Dario Morandy who expressed satisfaction with the formulation of the society.
According to him, the society is part of the new model of relationship Venezuela is trying to build with Guyana to strengthen relations. He noted, too, that through this channel Guyanese can be able to gain a better understanding of Venezuelan politics even as solidarity programmes are developed.
The friendship society is currently opened to new membership that can embrace the aims and objectives of the society to support the friendship of the people of Guyana and Venezuela.
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