The British Government has signalled its intention to review the ban on greenheart, following a meeting on Tuesday between the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the British High Commissioner and Baroness Anelay.
Greenheart is widely used in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe in marine applications. The specie of lumber is unique to Guyana and in 2015, the UK Environmental Agency issued a procurement ban citing inadequate sustainable
Members of the Private Sector Commission with Baroness Anelay at the meeting.
sourcing.
The PSC at the meeting brought the issue to the fore, noting how it affects the Private Sector as well as Indigenous communities. British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, assured the Commission that his Government is currently reviewing the ban.
The Commission in a statement said the Baroness, who is also the Minister of State of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom and Member of the UK House of Lords, expressed her Government’s total commitment to Guyana’s position as it relates to the border dispute with Venezuela. The possible environmental impact of oil and gas was also discussed.
“A discussion of the decline in the local economy which has been caused partly by a fall in commodity prices but exacerbated by excessive taxation and a lack of confidence on the part of investors; the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Bill and its implications was also raised,” the statement read.
The Baroness made a brief visit to Guyana and met with Government and other stakeholders.
