Guyana discusses training, investment opportunities with South Korea

…country willing to enter economic, tech education partnerships

The 45th Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago has also presented opportunities for bilateral meetings. Accordingly, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday met with Prime Minister of South Korea, Han Duck-soo.
At that meeting between the two leaders, which occurred on the sidelines of the concluding Heads of Government Meeting on Wednesday, a number of matters were dealt with, including education and training opportunities, manufacturing and technology.

“Prime Minister Han congratulated President Ali on Guyana’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, while indicating his government’s willingness to support Guyana through a “framework of economic cooperation” and the country’s technological movement by means of tailored education,” a statement from the Office of the President has said.
Last month the news emerged that Guyana was voted in as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2024-2025. The UNSC is one of six main organs established by the United Nations Charter. The Council is given primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.
Meanwhile, President Ali has lauded South Korea’s development trajectory while noting its “highly-skilled and developed human asset”. He also highlighted his Government’s drive in the areas of food, energy and climate security.
“He told the Prime Minister that his Government would like to enhance Government-to-Government relations and the partnership between the Private Sectors of both countries,” the statement added.
The South Korean Prime Minister, who has already committed to having his country multiply its investments fivefold in Caricom, has had a number of meetings with other Caricom leaders, including Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Opportunities
South Korea has, for some time, been exploring opportunities in Guyana. Last November, South Korean company Yeachon Architect and Urban Planners, whose representatives were in Guyana along with United States-based companies exploring opportunities for partnership and investment, had made a presentation of what their seven-year plan would be for the transformative Silica City.
The presentation on Silica City was made before President Ali at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC). The President was accompanied by several cabinet members, including Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.
The South Korean company made a video presentation laying out how they would develop Silica City, which is the brainchild of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and is being built by the Government along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
According to their proposals, the city would be carbon-free, and would be complete with housing, energy, transportation, healthcare, educational and recreational facilities. Mention was made of smart farms, a hypermarket and a commercial centre. They are proposing that the city could be completed by 2030.
Other Korean and US companies had meanwhile made video presentations on what value they could provide; and President Ali had stressed during the proceedings that the local Private Sector should take up the opportunity for partnership, especially in areas such as agriculture.

Other meetings
This meeting with South Korean leader Han Duck-soo comes one day after President Ali had discussions with China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hua Chunying, during which the President assured the diplomat that China remains a long-term strategic partner, and Guyana came in for high praise on its leadership in food security.
According to a statement from the Office of the President, during the talks, the Chinese official congratulated President Ali on Guyana’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Also discussed during their meeting was the dynamic lead role Guyana has taken on when it comes to spearheading the country and Region’s food security drive. This is even as Guyana currently chairs the Caricom Special Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security through Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha. As such, Guyana has been spearheading efforts to slash Caricom’s US$5 billion food importation bill.
“She (Hua Chunying) also lauded Guyana’s climate mitigation efforts. President Ali said China remains a long-term strategic partner of Guyana and is active in the development thrust of the country. The Head of State is expected to make an official State Visit to China at the end of July,” the Office of the President has said.
Meanwhile, President Ali also exchanged pleasantries with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda on the sidelines of the Caricom Heads of Government Meeting on Wednesday. Following these discussions, the Rwandan leader then took part in a special plenary session with the region’s Heads of State. (G3)