`Guyana’s day is coming’
Outgoing US Ambassador predicts rapid economic growth in Guyana
Guyana Chronicle
July 6, 2003
`Guyana’s day is coming. The world economy will rebound, and new, investor-friendly laws and rules of the game will help you take advantage of it.’ - Ambassador Ronald Godard
UNITED States Ambassador, Mr. Ronald Godard says a legal framework the Government is putting in place will encourage investment and rapid economic growth in Guyana “when things pick up” on the world scale.
In a speech to mark his country’s 227th Independence Anniversary on Friday night, Godard referred to the new investment code and small business act, transparent procurement legislation and tax reform, which are part of the legal framework.
“Guyana’s day is coming. The world economy will rebound, and new, investor-friendly laws and rules of the game will help you take advantage of it”, the outgoing diplomat told invitees at a reception hosted at his University Gardens, East Coast Demerara residence.
Godard said the Guyana economy’s strong link to the external sector should help stimulate significant growth and tremendous benefits are in the pipeline from the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
“Our USAID (United States Agency for International Development) Mission has been and will continue to work with you to build the capacity to take full advantage of the opportunities the FTAA will offer,” he noted.
Once the Lethem to Georgetown road, which is being constructed, is open to year-round commercial traffic, Guyana is uniquely well positioned to benefit from trade that will naturally flow from North America and Brazil, the largest and 10th largest markets in the world, respectively, Godard said.
Recalling a trip to the Brazilian State of Roraima and the neighbouring Rupununi in Guyana, the Ambassador said the opportunities for cross border development are obvious. “I came back from that trip convinced that when the FTAA comes on line, northwest Brazil will inevitably become a major development partner for Guyana,” he added.
But the diplomat said without guarantees of personal safety, Guyana cannot attract the domestic and foreign investment it needs for economic growth. He referred to the kidnapping of U.S Embassy staffer, Mr. Stephen Lesniak on April 12 last, which shocked the international community and was one of a long series of terrible crimes inflicted upon citizens.
He said Police and Army efforts to free the East Coast Demerara village of Buxton from the grips of criminals and to restore law are encouraging. “Without question, on their success hangs the future of the country,” Godard said.
The U.S plans to continue aid programmes for Guyana’s law enforcement agencies and will look for opportunities to expand them, he stated, referring to existing cooperation in combating international terrorism, drug trafficking and non-traditional threats.
Also having a huge impact on the economy is the remittance of cash from Guyanese expatriates and Godard said under the right conditions, their talents and resources can become an even more important force for development.
“There is a role for the U.S Embassy in encouraging such exchanges, and I am happy that during my tenure as Ambassador we have begun to facilitate them.”
The diplomat also said the U.S is “very pleased” the Government and opposition People’s National Congress/Reform have resumed dialogue, expressing hope that a May 6, 2003 communique between the sides provide the structure for finally ending divisions that have long troubled the society.
“I congratulate the President and the Leader of the Opposition for the resumption of the work of Parliament with its new committees and for activating the constitutionally mandated commissions.
“I sincerely hope that the process they have initiated will assure the people of Guyana a political system that can accommodate the aspirations of all ethnic, racial and religious groups,” Godard said.
He assured that the U.S Government remains prepared to assist where it could in strengthening Guyana’s democratic institutions, especially through the programmes of USAID.
The agency will remain very much engaged in a US$15Bln initiative to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in Guyana and 13 other countries, including Haiti.
An office of the U.S Centre for Disease Control has been added to the U.S Embassy here to help administer the aid, which Godard said will help turn back the devastation of the horrible disease.
Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who is performing the duties of President, expressed thanks to the US Government for the support in the fight against narco-trafficking and HIV/AIDS, as well as the military cooperation and economic assistance packages.
“We in Guyana are benefiting from the opening of an office of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to assist in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. We are also pleased to note that Guyana is one of the 14 countries worldwide that has been earmarked to benefit from President George Bush’s Global Initiative to fight HIV/AIDS. We are indeed grateful to the USA for their support,” Mr. Hinds said.
He also referred to the expansion of the Guyana/United States friendship and cooperation programmes which were facilitated through the USAID mission in Guyana.
“President Jagdeo is particularly pleased with the work of USAID and would like to publicly thank the USAID Director in Guyana, Mr. Mike Sarhan, for his understanding of the issues confronting developing countries, as ours. The President observes that this has resulted in USAID projects becoming more responsive and relevant to our local needs,” he said.
Mr. Hinds told the gathering that the US, through the USAIF/Carter Centres/National Democratic Institute and IFES, has increased its assistance to strengthening of the democratic foundations in Guyana, especially in the areas of local government, women’s participation in politics, civil society, electoral systems, constitutional reform and Parliament.
“To you Ambassador Godard, President Jagdeo expresses his appreciation for the contributions you have made during your stint and wishes you all the best in the future. The diplomatic relations between our two countries over the years of your tenure as Ambassador, have been characterised by a spirit of friendship and cooperation reflected in the various fields in which we have a shared interest,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr. Hinds added that President Jagdeo anticipates that the special and friendly relations between the two countries will grow stronger.
He noted that the assistance from the US Government contributed in no small way towards the developmental efforts of the Guyana Government.
“We sincerely look forward for continuation of this in the future and hope that this will see further expansion in the years ahead,” said Mr. Hinds.
He explained that Government is committed to creating a better quality of life for all Guyanese through the expansion and diversification of the economic base and the development of human resources to meet the challenges of the new globalised world.
“We are struggling as a newly emerging democracy, and like so many other developing countries, to reduce our debt, whilst trying to garner support to assist us in reducing poverty and unemployment. At the same time, our priorities of providing adequate housing, health care, education and water for our people, especially our children, albeit with limited resources, continues,” the Acting President said.
He said Government is committed to the democratic process and it believes in good governance and its establishment at all layers of society and communities.
“We firmly believe that democracy is essential for sustainable human development and nation building. To achieve this will require the involvement of all of our people including government, opposition, private sector, civil society, religious bodies and families in this process,” said Acting President Hinds.
He pointed out that the gestation of democracy, its values and principles, supported by constitutional measures and laws in the United States emerged over the last two hundred years as a result of sharp conflicts and struggles.
Among those present at the celebration were Chancellor of the Judiciary Desiree Bernard, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, Ministers of the Government, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin and Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Hamilton Green.
The Ambassador said he and his wife, Wesley Ann, who came to Guyana in January, 2001, have never had a dull moment and never “felt more at home” in their more than 35 years of “nomadic” life in the U.S Foreign Service.