– as Govt continues to expand Guyana’s global reach
The Governments of Guyana and the Peoples’ Republic of China on Thursday inked an Air Service Agreement (ASA) – a move that not only seeks to enhance passenger travel and trade between the two countries but also broaden Guyana’s global connectivity.
(L-R) Saheed Sulaman of GCAA, Public Work Minister Juan Edghill, Chinse Ambassador Guo Haiyan, Minister within Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, and a representative from the Chinese Embassy
The Agreement was signed between Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, at the Ministry’s Kingston, Georgetown, office.
According to Minister Edghill, this ASA will facilitate air transport connectivity between the two nations and develop mutual relations in the field of civil aviation. He pointed out that while Guyana and China have excellent trade relations in different fields, the lack of direct Airlink has been a disadvantage.
“The signature of this agreement puts the legal framework in place to address this challenge. So, China and Guyana would not only be “friendly” and… “distant” but would become nearer. It is anticipated that airlines of both countries will capitalise on the opportunities that exist for the movement of people and cargo between the two countries,” he stated.
In fact, the Public Works Minister outlined that there is already significant traffic of passenger and cargo between the two nations annually, and the enactment of this agreement will only foster cultural interactivity as well as advance air transport services, trade, and economic growth.
Further, he noted that such interconnectivity will seek to ensure that the tourism potential of Guyana is fully explored.
Moreover, the Public Works Minister outlined that the signing of this agreement is yet another step being taken by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration to expand Guyana’s global reach by establishing new air connectivity.
“The signing of this agreement reflects the government’s commitment to connecting Guyana to the rest of the world… This agreement complements the more than 50 years of services agreement Guyana has established with other ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) subscribing standards for the development of Airlink amongst ourselves. We are playing our role in getting that landscape in place,” he stated.
In fact, Minister Edghill used the opportunity to lobby the Chinese Ambassador to invite China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Air China, among others, to explore flying the Guyana-China route.
Guyana and China have been exploring the possibility of civil aviation cooperation for years. In 2014, the Civil Aviation Authorities of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Indonesia. Then in 2019, the two sides began negotiations in preparation for the agreement.
At Thursday’s signing, Ambassador Guo stated that this ASA will only serve to further grow Guyana and China’s already strong bilateral relations.
“Today, as we officially launch the civil aviation cooperation, we see the further expansion of cooperation between China and Chinese. Guyanese friends often use two words to describe China; one is “friendly” and the other is “distant”. The geographical distance cannot stand away from the deep friendship between China and Guyana,” the Chinese diplomat posited.
Ambassador Guo further highlighted that this agreement will not only lay the legal foundation for the deepening of civil aviation cooperation, strongly supports economic and trade cooperation, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges between Guyana and China but will also promote the Belt and Road Initiative back in 2018.
“China-Guyana relations have maintained a good momentum of development, and there is still great potential and space for practical cooperation in various fields. Standing at a new starting point, I have every reason to believe that with the leadership of the Presidents of the two countries, and the common expectation of our two peoples, China and Guyana will definitely become even ever closer and will usher in one another new milestone in our bilateral cooperation,” she stated.
The Air Services Agreement signed on Thursday addresses matters such as grant of rights, airline designation and authorisation, revocation, suspension of authorisation or imposition of conditions, capacity and frequency provisions recognition of certificates and license, aviation safety and aviation security, tariffs, among many other matters.
Witnessing the signing were Minister within the Public Works Deodat Indar along with officials from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown.
