Brazil moving to complete Takutu bridge
Stabroek News
June 13, 2004
The Brazilian general accounting office is to present to the Brazilian congress recommendations for financing the Takutu River Bridge so as to enable the road link between Guyana and Brazil to move forward.
Foreign affairs Minister Rudy Insanally told the media at a press briefing on Friday that the matter of financing was very important to the completion of the project and it was engaging the attention of the Brazilian authorities.
In a recent interview, Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Ney do Prado Dieguez told Stabroek News that he could not put a time-frame on when financing would be approved, noting that although it was a priority the bureaucracy involving approval by the Brazilian Congress could take a while.
On the issue of trade, Insanally noted that Brazil was taking the initiative to promote a programme of competitive substitution of imports, which is intended to stimulate trade with neighbouring countries including Guyana.
Guyanese businessmen have been invited to take part in a conference, which will be held at the end of this month in Sao Paulo.
He noted that the Partial Scope Agreement on trade was fully operational and expressed hope that both countries would benefit from expanding trade relations. This facility has been extended to include a waiver of visas to Guyanese businessmen to facilitate trade.
He reiterated Brazil's current status as chairman of Mercosur and its desire to enter into a free-trade agreement with Caricom.
This is to be followed up by the Caricom Secretariat. Insanally feels that such an agreement between Caricom and Brazil would enable to region to better deal with the Free Trade Area of the Americas.