Ramotar dismisses fears of a Chinese takeover

Jul 29, 2014 News

Given the level of money that has been invested in Guyana and the region at large or has been committed for future investments by China, Head of State, Donald Ramotar, has dismissed fears that the Chinese will become the new colonialists

Head of State Donald Ramotar meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

of the region.
Ramotar, speaking at a press conference at State House on Saturday, said that his view was that this was not the intention of the Chinese. He said that Guyana can safeguard itself by enforcing its laws.
The President pointed out too that the Chinese are not the only source of funds available since there are other options.
He pointed to the recent establishment of a US$500B bank which has been established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS).
According to the President there are options “that allow us a greater degree of freedom to operate.”
The President said that he was not afraid or worried about the potential of China becoming the new colonial masters of the region.
He said that Guyana has been seeing the many examples of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Chinese investors and work with regard to the country’s infrastructural development.
Last week, Ramotar attended a forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Brazil.
At that forum he said, “For many of us, investment by China has helped keep us afloat. Chinese investment has been important also in helping us in having the necessary investments in our own countries.
“In Guyana for example, in expanding our airport transport system and many of our roads, the Chinese assisted us. I would like to express our profound support for the initiatives being taken.”
At present, there is a significant level of investment in Guyana by Chinese companies such as Bai Shan Lin which has been involved in large scale logging.
There are also numerous projects involving Chinese and Chinese money such as the One Laptop Per Family programme, the construction of the Marriott Hotel, construction of several sections of the Amaila Falls Access Road, the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the widening of the East Coast Demerara Highway among others.
There is also a significant presence of Chinese investments in competition with locals. China is also expected to finance the bridge across the Corentyne River.
China has committed to investing more than US$1B in Guyana in the near future.
Earlier this year a Chinese-owned shipyard was commissioned at Coverden, East Bank Demerara.
At the commissioning of that facility Ramotar said, “I want to extend special greetings to the Chinese investors who have come here and to let them know that they are welcome in Guyana.”
He said too that China has tremendous capabilities, evidenced by the tremendous progress that the country has made in just over three decades.
China’s growth is also unmatched when compared to equivalent countries in any part of the world, he said.
“To see how fast that country has grown in just over three decades, speaks volumes for Chinese investors and their readiness to take risks. It also speaks volumes of their skills, of their traditions and customs and their dedication to work and labour, and that is something we hope that we can emulate in our country,” the President said.