Federal funding for Guyana-Brazil road, deep-water port Stabroek News December 12, 2000 The federal government of Brazil has agreed to fund the paving of the Guyana-Brazil road and the construction of a deep-water port on Guyana's coast to enhance trade for both countries. Nuedo Ribeiro Compos, governor of the Brazilian state of Roraima--the state bordering Guyana--told reporters yesterday that he had come to Guyana with a commitment from Brazil's President Fernando Cardoso to finance the projects. The commencement of the construction of the Takutu bridge to link the two countries was scheduled for September next year, Campos disclosed, and its funding has been included in the federal budget. No start-up date has been set for the paving of the road. The governor was on a one-day visit yesterday with an 11-member delegation as a follow-up to the first institutional meeting between the two sides in Boa Vista--Roraima's capital city--in April. Sharing a press conference held yesterday at the GTV 11 studios with Foreign Minister Clement Rohee and Transport and Hydraulics Minister, Anthony Xavier, Campos said in his tenure as governor of Roraima he was placing emphasis on forging stronger links between Guyana and Brazil through his state. The governor said the Brazilian side was in the process of drafting the form in which to present the proposal to the Guyana government for the construction of the road. He pointed out that the proposal would have to identify the source of the funding, which was still being worked out, and to earmark the responsibilities each side would undertake in the project. The Guyana-Brazil road and the port will be tackled as a single package in terms of funding. Upon the completion of the road, Brazilian products will have easier and less costly access to markets in North America and Europe. Campos noted there was a great demand for Guyana's sugar in his country and said discussions had already commenced on possible export. He pointed out that the road will not only link Guyana to Brazil but to the Amazonias and Venezuela, where Guyana could tap into those markets as well. The port and road will open up access to Brazil, he said, and businesses will have a potentially huge market there of nine states with a population of 50 million. Xavier revealed that a Roads Authority will be established and part of its mandate will be to deal specifically with the Guyana-Brazil road. The minister said government will seek to fast-track the establishment of the authority. This body will be responsible for applications dealing with the setting up of businesses and services such as gas stations along the route. He stated that environmental regulations will be followed during the construction of the road and noted that it will cut through the forest in the vicinity of the Iwokrama reserve. "The dream is slowly becoming a reality because of the efforts of Governor Campos and his team and the Guyana government," Xavier said. Earlier in the day, Xavier and Campos signed the agreed minutes of the first institutional meeting at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. At the ceremony, Rohee stated that the minutes would pave the way for the implementation of activities in the areas of transportation, trade, tourism, and technical cooperation. He singled out the private sector for special mention for their contribution in the process and pledged the Guyana government's support in their endeavours. Rohee told reporters that the Guyana-Brazil border land cargo transport agreement--intended to provide regulations in the short-term to govern the anticipated increase in traffic between the two countries--will be further discussed between the two sides. Rohee also said that there will be ongoing negotiations with Brazil on inter-police cooperation, customs and health. He stated that all these aspects will be streamlined before the completion of the road so that the facilities would be in place to promote smooth trade. The government will also be looking at consular and trade representation in Boa Vista, he said. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today