‘We don’t want charity’

Forget your negative perceptions and come see the new Guyana, invited Guyanese President Bharat Jagdeo. He was addressing the launch of the three-day “Guyana in Trinidad and Tobago” Trade Expo on Friday at Crowne Plaza. “Come to Guyana. I’m very excited about our future and hope we can excite you too,” he effused. Jagdeo thanked Prime Minister Patrick Manning for helping Guyana, including assisting the exposition. He said: “I thank Prime Minister Manning for the regional perspective he has on many issues. He has always had the region’s interest at heart.” He hailed Manning’s support for greater linkages within the region.

Jagdeo then disclosed the tremendous potential of Guyana. “Guyana is a very resource-rich country. We have minerals, forests and scenic sights.” But he also noted that Guyana was capital-starved and that emigration had cut its human-capital. However he said that compared to the past when 94 percent of GDP had to be used to service the country’s debt burden, today that figure was only 20 percent. “Our debt burden has been significantly reduced — thanks to Trinidad and Tobago again.” Jagdeo invited more TT assistance to Guyana. “In Guyana we need to incubate new entrepreneurs and create a new local private sector. Trinidad and Tobago is capital-rich and could help us develop our resources.” Saying the expo was being held to let TT see Guyana’s tremendous potential,  he said: “It’s not charity we are looking for.”

He invited those present to attend “Guy-Expo”, a showcase for Guyanese companies, to be held in Georgetown in September of October.  Jagdeo concluded: “We’d like to create an interest in Guyana.” Prime Minister Patrick Manning recalled his recent MOU with Alcoa to build an aluminium smelter in Trinidad and alumina plant in Guyana, and declared: “We are determined that Guyana develops with us.” Noting 80 percent of Caricom trade involves our country, Manning said: “We see Caricom as an essential part of Trinidad and Tobago’s development.” Wishing success for the expo, Manning noted this was his first-ever opportunity to welcome President Jagdeo to Trinidad and Tobago.