Chinese to assist with Liliendaal Conference Centre
Stabroek News
September 25, 2002
The Chinese government has agreed, at the request of the Guyana government, to provide assistance for the construction of an international conference centre at Liliendaal.
Last Thursday Minister of Foreign Trade and Inter-national Cooperation Clement Rohee and China's Ambas-sador to Guyana, Song Tao signed the first Exchange of Notes to allow a team of Chinese consultants to conduct a preliminary survey for the centre.
This first phase will cost US$70,000.
The centre, a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, will be located in the vicinity of the new site of the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
It will provide state-of-the-art conference support facilities for meetings hosted by the government, the CARICOM Secretariat and by local, regional and international organisations.
The project is expected to be the largest in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries, the release said, noting that this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Guyana and China.
Rohee noted that the second exchange of notes will be signed during the Eighth Session of the Guyana/China Joint Commission which is scheduled for Beijing during the first quarter of next year.
Apart from a draft bilateral investment treaty which is being negotiated by both countries, Rohee noted that over the years Guyana has benefited from economic and technical cooperation with China.
These have included the Moco Moco Hydropower Station, and a number of Chinese investment projects including the Sanata Textiles Mill, a clay brick factory, a bicycle plant factory, a vegetable farm, an interest free loan, technical training, and a trade agreement.