Georgetown: For the Christmas season there has been an increase of Cubans here, particularly to do shopping demonstrates a “closer cooperation” with Guyana and the Spanish-speaking island, says Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge.
The Minister said Cubans do not require visas to visit Guyana and those arriving here are not only interested in trade. He noted that there are Cubans who come here just for the purpose of tourism. “These are Cuban visitors in a range of areas from trading, commercial travellers, from people who may come on holiday and spend a day; two weeks…our role is to ensure that the arrangements for their entry are proper,” said Greenidge.
He explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to facilitate the movement of people here and noted that Cuba like Guyana is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP group of states). Additionally, Greenidge stated that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) also has special relations with Cuba, while Guyana has “especially special and long relations with Cuba,” therefore making it necessary for the country to ensure “the smooth movement of persons between the two countries.
“We ensure that the institutional arrangements are in place,” he added, noting that though institutional arrangements are usually in place, they don’t always work smoothly. “We try to keep that oil lubricated and we welcome as we do from anywhere else in the Region, the Cuban visitors who come to purchase commodities, services or to sell goods just as we welcome those who are sent by the Cuban government to render assistance in the medical and other areas.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister gave the assurance that the influx of Cubans in Guyana is a “reflection of a closer cooperation,” while noting that it is the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “to keep that arrangement reasonably tight and ensure our laws and international obligations are met at the same time.” Greenidge made it clear that the role of his ministry in relation to Cuba is no different from that of Barbados or the United Kingdom.
Latin America
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that his ministry has been working with both bilateral and regional partners in Latin America to facilitate travel within the Region, something he deems very important if Guyana is to enhance trade and investment.
There are a number of countries to which Guyanese can travel without visas and according to the minister, this process will continue in a bid to ensure investment comes to Guyana hassle-free. He said he has seen some concerns on the issue, but maintains that those comments are germane to Government’s decision. “Our responsibility is to facilitate the development of Guyana. The development of Guyana will turn upon Guyana being part of an economic and political animal that is larger than 700,000 people,” he said, noting that Guyana can be described as plankton in the ocean. “We are so small that if we attempt to survive merely on the basis of our numbers we are not going to get very far, however bright we think we are [as] a people. So we have to transform ourselves from a tiny state.”
Minister Greenidge argued that as part of the process of enlarging, there must be economic integration, citing CARICOM, though the Caricom Single Market and Economy has not progressed according to plans.
“Guyana wants to be at the centre of that enlargement… That has to do with ensuing we cooperate and integrate with Latin America, South America and Central America– that’s part of our thrust.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister said by virtue of the many arrangements within the bloc, visas and otherwise, Guyana is enabling potential investors to not only see and hear about Guyana on television, but also be able to visit the country first-hand to assess the country’s capacity to receive investors.
This, he said, is important for the country’s development and made specific reference to technological development in the area of telecommunications. “It is key… no development of tourism, agro-processing or modern mining will take place if we are unable to put down infrastructure associated with these areas – that is part and parcel of the process of deepening relations with Latin America,” declared Minister Greenidge.
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