KINGSTON - Minister of Public Infrastructure, Honourable David Patterson, today, November 27, 2015, met with a representative from United World, an international communication agency that is currently developing a socioeconomic report on Guyana.
This report is set to be published as a special supplement in the USA Today, a renowned United States newspaper, and will commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
Pablo Dabrio, Project Editor from United World, paid a visit to Minister Patterson and sat down for a chat in the main boardroom of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI). During the engagement, the two discussed Guyana’s development and the role the Infrastructure Ministry plays in the nation’s future. MPI, one of Guyana’s largest ministries, will receive a full page in the report.
During the discussion with Dabrio, Minister Patterson shared some of MPI’s plans, including the creation of deep water harbours; the upgrade of the maritime section; the addition new vessels to ply interior routes; and the maximisation of Guyana’s use of renewable energy.
Dabrio expressed particular interest on the ministry’s plans to connect the rest of the country with the hinterland regions; the MPI’s strategy to access a cheap source of energy; Guyana’s oil and gas potential; and the fostering of private public partnerships.
Minister Patterson stressed that the main objective of the Ministry is to create a “fresh approach” to unlock a brighter future for Guyana. He shared that the Guyana Government will be focused on opening the country, not only to Guyanese but to the wider world.
When questioned by Dabrio specifically on opening Guyana to US investors, Minister Patterson expressed enthusiasm at the prospect.
“Guyana is a place for opportunities and is certainly a place to invest,” Minister Patterson said. “If investors were to come to this side of the Hemisphere, then Guyana is the place to come.”
He added that Government will strive towards removing encumbrances which stymie development.
Meanwhile, Dabrio, who has been in Guyana for about six weeks, indicated that there were “many reasons” why Guyana was chosen to be featured by United World. He explained that the nation caught the attention of the international community when there was a change in administration after more than two decades.
Noting the “fresh approach” view being held by many, Dabrio said that his team wanted to portray how the new Guyana Government is “changing the course of Guyana”. He said too that it was felt that Guyana was a nation which needed to be highlighted to the general American public.
The special report on Guyana is set to be released on May 26, 2016, which is the date of observance for Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary.
Dabrio shared that he has already spoken with a number of Government ministers as well as His Excellency, President David Granger.
