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Regional integration and multilateral diplomacy to be enhanced in 2014 – Finance Minister
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has singled out foreign relations, particularly within the ambit of regional integration and multilateral diplomacy, as being on government’s 2014 agenda for improvement during his public sector pronouncements.
Dr. Singh reiterated that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain central to the policies of the
Finance Minister
Dr. Ashni Singh
administration.
In an overview of Guyana’s foreign sector, Minister Singh articulated that government embarked on an expanded programme of cooperation with Brazil and continued to enjoy good relations with Suriname. He also said that “following the detention of a research vessel by a Venezuelan naval vessel in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone prompting the initiation of talks between the two countries, relations with Venezuela were kept at a satisfactory level.”
According to Dr. Singh, Guyana’s unwavering support for the efforts of the Caribbean integration process was demonstrated by its engagement in strengthening the (Caribbean Community) CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) across all sectors.
“In 2013, work continued apace under Guyana’s coordination, on the revision of the existing Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community, to update the institutional arrangements and modernise the region’s infrastructure.”
“Our focus in 2014 is to expand programmes of cooperation and to ensure that relations with our neighbouring countries as well as those in the wider hemisphere and in other regions are enhanced.”
He affirmed that in 2014, Guyana will forge on with greater implementation of the CSME regimes. In providing an example of Guyana’s commitment, Dr. Singh mentioned that “the Caribbean Skilled Nationals Act was amended and approved by the National Assembly on February 27, 2014, to confer a contingent right to the spouse of a person who holds a Skilled National Certificate, to enable that spouse to engage in gainful employment or other occupation without having to obtain a work permit”.
He further articulated that they anticipate that with the development of a CARICOM regional strategic plan, “the roadmap for socio-economic progress in the region will be clarified within the current global and regional dynamics and the resultant strategic direction and actions, once acted upon, will boost the performance of our region as a whole.”
The Finance Minister confirmed that Guyana will also remain engaged as a serious partner in CARICOM’s negotiations with other countries, such as the current trade negotiations with Canada and continued implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
“We will continue to be engaged in the activities of the regional mechanisms UNASUR [the Union of South American Nations] and CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] and continue to promote the interests and concerns of Guyana in international fora, particularly in relation to climate change and the post-2015 sustainable development goals. In addition, securing markets for products and encouraging foreign investment remain paramount for our economic growth and efforts will continue in this regard. To this end our new mission in South Africa is strategically placed to fulfil this mandate.”
He stressed that Government will embark on the next phase of the Guyana Diaspora Project to “consolidate plans in response to the interests shown by several Guyanese in contributing their skills and expertise in specific areas of our national development”.
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