Guyana looking to expand agri-business to... ← FROM PAGE 17

of time, all with the same consistency and productivity. “It would be a big, huge opportunity for Guyanese to work in these areas. It would be a big boost to say our cane farming industry and we need planting material now of high quality.

You can get a million plants in a short period of time. And also, everything else, almost any tree that’s grown you can culture it through tissue culture,” the Vice President explained.

The technology can be applied to a range of crops, from sugarcane and aquaculture to spices and coconut cultivation, which the government is also looking to expand in the future.

In fact, the government is looking to utilise a portion of state land along the banks of the river for coconut cultivation, Jagdeo disclosed.

He emphasised the potential for job creation and economic growth in these areas, which could benefit Guyanese farmers and the country as a whole.

India’s expertise in agri - cultural research and development makes the country a natural partner for Guyana in its endeavour.

With the ability to feed over 1.4 billion people through highly productive and sustainable methods, India’s collaboration could prove invaluable to Guyana’s agriculture sector. Dr Jagdeo said there is also potential collaboration in biogas and biofuels, while stressing the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

The rehabilitation of this corridor represents a key component of the country’s road network within the integration corridor that connects to Brazil via Lethem, and supports key value-chains including manufacturing, food processing, construction materials, mining and forestry and agricultural commodities including fertilizer. In addition, this corridor is extremely critical given increased economic activity on the East Bank of Demerara and its connectivity to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the Soesdyke to Linden Highway and future development of Silica City, an initiative of President Irfaan Ali.

In addition to widening and improving this important West Demerara Corridor, the project will address retrofitting of bridges, reconstruction of lateral drainage systems, relocation of electricity, water and telecommunication distribution networks, construction of passing bays, parking and stopping lanes, street lighting, improved curbways and passenger walkways to enhance commuters’ comfort and safety.

For this project, in addition to a loan of US$100 million, government will be contributing US$17 million to this important road infrastructure.

“ENHANCING THE NATIONAL QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE

$30M

FOR COMPETITIVENESS” REFORMULATION AND ADDITIONAL FINANCING – US$8 MILLION

The general objective of the Project is to support economic competitiveness. Specifically, the program seeks to improve the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) capacity to promote the adoption of quality standards among Guyanese Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

This investment represents additional financing to support the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, given the overall changes in the economic structure of Guyana and the increased demand for services including Laboratory Services. This project complements the works being undertaken under the current NQI project which is under implementation to complete the construction of the GNBS laboratory in order to strengthen its technical, regulatory and compliance capacity.

The President Ali-led Government has embarked on a period of rapid transformation and has laid out a master plan for massive development and transformation of Guyana. The Government has noted that it remains committed to working assiduously to make this vision a reality so that benefits can redound to the citizens in the shortest possible time.