Canada's engagement with Guyana could increase, says official

Canada's engagement with Guyana could increase, says official
Published on Wednesday, July 4, 2007



By Gordon French
Caribbean Net News Guyana Correspondent
Email: gordon@caribbeannetnews.com

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Canadian government’s policy to increase activity in the Western Hemisphere, including the Caribbean, may soon see enhanced engagement with Guyana, a top official said.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Charles Court, in a speech to mark the 140th Independence Anniversary of his country said that the historic ties between Guyana and Canada as a basis for strengthening future relations between the two nations.

To enhance its competitiveness in the global economy, Canada has developed a framework called a Global Commerce Strategy, which was recently announced by International Trade Minister, David Emerson.

It aims to strengthen Canada’s competitive position in markets around the world and includes an aggressive market access agenda and strategies for making Canada a partner of choice for international business and investment.

“Co-operation with our global partners is an essential part of our approach,” Court noted.

He said that Canadians believe that cooperation is the best path to prosperity, the best path to opportunity, and the best path to the reduction of poverty throughout the world.

The High Commissioner said there are many examples of these co-operative efforts in this country. He said Canadians played an important part in developing the bauxite industry in Guyana, noting that today Canadian mining firms are at the forefront in exploring and bringing new mines into production, bringing new technologies to Guyana, and strengthening the communities in which they work.

According to the High Commissioner, in communities around Guyana the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) sponsors projects that contribute to the creation and diversification of economic activity.

“Other projects strengthen local government capacity to manage their responsibilities and contribute to the well-being of their citizens,” Court stated.

July 1 is the day that Canada became a self-governing nation.