It is indeed a pleasure to be here and I am very pleased to see those of you who have taken the time to join us on the happy occasion of the Official Opening of the High Commission for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana here in Port of Spain.
Trinidad and Tobago attaches tremendous importance to the strengthening of its bilateral relationship with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana with which we have long enjoyed very close and warm ties. The opening of this office is indeed an important milestone and signifies an elevation in the level of Guyana’s representation in Trinidad and Tobago in the person of His Excellency Bishwaishwar Ramsaroop Maraj, High Commissioner for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, we are confident that the High Commission’s presence in Port of Spain would promote greater interaction between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana as well as deepen existing ties and facilitate new linkages.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has been working in tandem with the Government of Guyana to further build and strengthen the bonds that already exist. In this regard, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, met bilaterally with His Excellency Brigadier (Ret.) David A. Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on October 07, 2015 in Port of Spain. The two leaders engaged in discussions which focused on enhancing the existing bilateral relationship in various spheres and exchanged views on deepening the collaboration already initiated in agriculture, skills development and energy cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Trinidad and Tobago-Guyana bilateral relationship is grounded in a tradition of cooperation at all levels of Government, business and civil society. To this end, both Governments entered into agreements with the objective of engaging in commercial, economic, technical and cultural cooperation; promoting trade and investment; and encouraging the establishment of closer links between the countries’ private sectors.
There exist several Trinidad and Tobago companies which have made significant investments in Guyana and have established strong linkages there. This is a clear demonstration of their support for and confidence in Guyana’s economy and its prospects for further development. We look forward to encouraging more joint ventures between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyanese companies and to putting in place the requisite measures to ensure that this mutually advantageous relationship redounds to the benefit of both the citizenry of Guyana and of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, Trinidad and Tobago is well-poised to share its experiences and to extend support as opportunities present themselves with the potential for benefits to both countries.
In addition to our close interaction at the bilateral level, and fully cognizant of the difficulties attendant in participating on the global stage as small, developing States, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana collaborate at the multilateral level in various fora to ensure that the concerns of small States are heard. The main areas of collaboration include climate change, the environment, security, sustainable development, and trade.
Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are among the founding Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and have a stake in ensuring that our Community and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) thrives. Moreover, we continue to work closely as members of regional and hemispheric organizations such as the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and Organization of American States (OAS) as well as international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and Non-Aligned Movement.
In closing, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I look forward to the High Commissioner and this High Commission playing a pivotal role in facilitating the heightened interest between the public and private sectors of our countries and in cementing the strong bonds of friendship which continue to exist between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is indeed a pleasure to invite you to join us in a toast to declare the High Commission for the Cooperative republic of Guyana in Trinidad and Tobago officially open.
I thank you.
