Georgetown: Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge declared Guyana open for business on Wednesday evening, calling on Russian companies who are not yet a part of Guyana’s economy, to come on board.
The Minister made this bold declaration while at the Russian Embassy on the occasion of a celebration of the ‘Day of Russia’, unequivocally stating that he “welcomes companies with an interest in investing in (Guyana’s) economy.”
Minister Greenidge addressed the Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Nikolay Smirnov, urging him to “engage and invite other Russian companies to pursue investments in Guyana.”
Mention was made of the contributions made by the Russian Company RUSAL and its subsidiary, Bauxite Corporation of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) – both having facilitated socio-economic developments in Guyana through skills training and job creation. The companies offer such opportunities to its employees, of which several Guyanese are a part of, as well as the students it sponsors in universities overseas.
The Minister said that economic diplomacy will be given priority by his Administration, stating that this will enable greater partnership between Public and Private Sectors, and by extension, enable an improved economy.
In addition, the Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that Russia and Guyana is currently considering an investment treaty. This is expected to totally adjust the scales of bargaining in Guyana’s favour. “Pending agreements” in fields of economy and security were also mentioned by Minister Greenidge. He stated that these agreements are being worked on at the moment.
He used the short- term training programme offered by the Russian Federation in the security sector as an example, indicating the impetus it has given Guyana’s security sector, particularly in the area of human resource development.
Minister Greenidge said this training “will no doubt contribute to citizens’ security and enable an environment for socioeconomic activity, (adding that) this is fundamental to continue economic development in Guyana.”
There are several issues on the international agenda that are relevant to Guyana’s national interest. These include economic cooperation, climate change, the promotion of peace, security, human rights, the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and charting a course for the post 2015 development agenda. Minister Greenidge said that he looks forward to the continued collaboration with Russia on these issues, adding that it shall be “with renewed fervour to attain meaningful solutions.”
Meanwhile, Ambassador Smirnov confirmed that Russia will be collaborating with Guyana in the spheres mentioned by Minister Greenidge. He stated that his team is currently working on investment promotion and protection, mutual visa waivers, education and also Police interaction agreements.
Regarding the ‘Day of Russia’, he explained that the ‘Day of Russia’ is celebrated on June 12 every year as it symbolises the historic choice of the Russian people.
In 1990, the Parliament adopted the Declaration of National Sovereignty. However, it was in1992 that the Supreme Soviet of Russia proclaimed June 12 a national holiday. This was also seconded by the Russian President at the time, Boris Yeltsin, on June 2, 1994 but it was then called the ‘Day of Russia.’ This day according to the opinion polls unites Russian citizens as a patriotic holiday.
The Ambassador said Russia aims “to protect civil liberties, human rights, stating that such values are given more significance on the ‘Day of Russia’. Among these, he detailed the “supremacy of International Law (and) respect for the leading role of the United Nations as the universal organisation.”
The Russian Ambassador was forceful as he stated that Russia denounces any sort of double standards in international policy, extraterritorial application of force and domestic laws. He added that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Lybia and Syria shows why such policies should not be practiced.
Ambassador Smirnov continued that the universal values should be more considered now as the world is becoming more complicated, commenting that 2015 is a special year to advocate such values.
However, the reason for these values was enmeshed in the Ambassador’s speech on his friendly relations with countries all across the world, reiterating once more its tolerance and respect for all nations.
In the case of Guyana, the Russian Ambassador to Guyana stated that “our countries share common vision on most issues of the international agenda, including global food security and SIDS sustainable development, countering climate change, terrorism, drug trafficking. Our ties are enriched with people-to-people contacts.”
The recent proof to this being the signing of the Agreement of Cooperation between the People’s Friendship University of Russia and the University of Guyana. The Ambassador said this will bolster interstate educational exchanges.
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