“Guyana’s deep ties with India is not one only forged by cordial diplomatic relations but one entrenched in a common history and legacy.”
The relationship between India and Guyana ever since the independence of Guyana in May 1966 has been close and cordial with a high degree of understanding. How do you look back on this bilateral partnership?
The Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of India share a strong and dynamic bond of friendship. The cooperation and collaboration that Guyana and India have undertaken since the establishment of diplomatic relations are highly valued.
India remains a respected and influential member of the international community and has generously and continuously contributed to Guyana’s development in the fields of agriculture, culture, diplomacy, education, health, housing, information communications technology, infrastructural development, investment, renewable energy, sport, trade and water.
Our ties have matured over the years and have resulted in mutual benefits to our two states.
India was pleased to host Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of Guyana for his week- week-long visit to India in January 2023 where he was also the Chief Guest at the 17th edition of Parvas Bhartiya Divas or the Overseas Indian Day. How was his experience of the visit?
His Excellency President Ali was delighted to be once again, in the Republic of India, the birthplace of his ancestors.
During the visit, His Excellency President Ali was conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the H.E Droupadi Murmu, President of India. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honor bestowed on Indians living overseas. The award was in recognition of His Excellency’s outstanding service in the areas of politics and community development.
The official visit of His Excellency President Ali to India has given the Guyana-India bilateral relationship a new impetus through increased cooperation, political dialogue, and collaboration in areas of mutual benefit to the two peoples and countries.
The two sides had the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions and consultations between the governments’ agencies and the private sectors of both countries. The Government of Guyana and Government of India have agreed to establish working groups in a number of areas aimed at advancing the bilateral cooperation agenda.
On the multilateral front, President Ali and Prime Minister Modi shared a commitment to addressing global issues such as climate change, food security, energy security, human resource development, and creating a platform for peace and development.
The government of Guyana has been actively promoting investment opportunities available for enterprising entrepreneurs. Can you discuss some opportunities for the Indian investors looking to invest in Guyana?
Guyana is an excellent jurisdiction for investors. Guyana’s comparative advantages lie in the fact that it is:
- One of the fastest growing economies
- A resource rich country
- Multi sector investment opportunities
- Low operational cost
- An ideal location to access markets
- It offers numerous fiscal incentives for investments.
- A private sector focused government
- Diverse cultures and heritage
Accordingly, opportunities for investors with a vision and a capacity to deliver are immense. Guyana is open for investments with its vast natural resources: a young, educated, and English-speaking population; stable and open financial markets; investment protection under the law; unrestricted repatriation of profits; duty-free access, equal treatment for local and foreign investors.
Energy and Manufacturing
In the field of energy, Guyana’s Oil and Gas economy will see the deployment of six Floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels by 2027, producing at least 1.2million barrels of oil per day. In addition to proven oil reserves of 11 billion barrels, Guyana also boasts 17 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Some of this gas will be harnessed in a 300MW Gas-to-energy plant, that will produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and other petrochemical products.
Each of these projects individually support vast ecosystems of industries from supply chain to services which will require international capital and skill. Guyana welcomes Indian business to explore mutually beneficial opportunities in this regard.
In addition, with low-cost energy, the potential for value-added manufacturing is tremendous, given Guyana’s abundance of raw materials such as silica sand, bauxite, gold, timber and agriculture.
Opportunities for Investment: Fabrication for Oil and Gas Industry; Garment and Textile; Alumina Plant; Furniture/Value-added Timber; Glass Factory; Clay Bricks; Pre-Caste Factory; Biodegradable Containers; Oil Refinery.
Renewable
In 2018, Guyana signed and ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement, joining over 100 other solar-rich countries in mobilizing climate change efforts through the implementation of solar energy solutions. Guyana is cognizant of the fact that India is a prominent player in the global solar revolution, and welcomed the opportunity to be a member of this collaborative platform that focuses on actions aimed at creating 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
In that same year, Guyana and India signed an MOU on Renewable Energy to encourage and promote cooperation on issues of new and renewable energy of mutual benefit to the countries.
Guyana has set ambitious renewable energy development goals as part of its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. The country’s National Energy Policy has a target of 100% renewable energy by 2025. This objective is supported by the government’s Renewable Energy Roadmap, which lays out concrete methods for transitioning to a more sustainable energy system.
Guyana has vast untapped renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass. The government has been investing in renewable energy capabilities, particularly solar and hydroelectric power. In recent years, the country has seen a surge in solar energy installations, with numerous large-scale projects under development.
Opportunities for investment: Collaboration on renewable energy projects (solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass and bioenergy), technology transfer, and capacity building could contribute to the sustainable energy growth between Guyana and India.
Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030
In 2009, Guyana launched the first Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) from a developing country, setting out a vision for inclusive, sustainable development – while simultaneously maintaining the country’s forests, about 85% of the country’s territory, to help meet some of the most urgent challenges the world faces.
Guyana’s LCDS is an important framework for guiding the country’s efforts towards sustainable development and low-carbon growth. Guyana is aiming to establish a more environmentally friendly and resilient economy for the future by using its natural resources sustainably and investing in renewable energy and other green initiatives.
The REDD+ programme is a significant component of Guyana’s LCDS. This effort seeks to incentivize forest conservation and sustainable management techniques by offering financial incentives to countries that lower deforestation rates. Guyana has been a leader in implementing REDD+ projects, and the country has gained worldwide recognition and financial support for its efforts to reduce deforestation-related emissions.
Guyana has demonstrated global leadership in climate action; the country was the first jurisdiction in the world to issue ART-TREES credits, issuing 33.4 million credits in late 2022. Further, Guyana has entered into a landmark agreement with the Hess Corporation for the sale of carbon credits earning US$750 million between 2022 and 2032. Of which 15 percent will be given to community/village-led programmes for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) as set out in Village Sustainability Plans or equivalent, put together by communities themselves, and the remaining 85 percent will be allocated to national priorities outlined in the LCDS 2030.
Guyana remains unalterably committed to finding solutions to global challenges including climate, food and energy security.
Agriculture, Food Security and Logistics
The Government of Guyana continues to modernize an already diversified economy. In this respect, there is a tremendous amount of emphasis on the agriculture sector and building out the agriculture value chain to maximize efficiencies for getting goods to markets. To this end, Guyana is leading a regional food security agenda to reduce the region’s US$7 billion food import bill by 25% by 2025. To achieve this, Guyana is collaborating with regional counterparts and charting the way forward. The Government’s policies are also geared towards incentivizing the sector to promote new investments in the sector. With vast lands exceeding 20 million hectares, Guyana is ideal and poised for mega investments in large scale agriculture ranging from: Aquaculture and seafood processing to Hydroponic Farming for Niche markets and Mega Farms. Guyana is in close proximity to the US & the Caribbean making it a strategic location for large scale agriculture.
Opportunities for investment in: Meat Processing Operation; Corn and Soya Bean Production for Stock feed; Agriculture Technology; Aquaculture; Large Scale Cattle Ranching, Pig Rearing; Large Scale Integrated Farms; Value Added Coconut; Dairy Plants.
Tourism
Tourism represents a sleeping giant in Guyana as one of its most propitious industries. Guyana’s pristine rainforest, dozens of breathtaking waterfalls, majestic mountains and spectacular biodiversity make for an ideal destination for investments in ecolodges and eco-resorts.
Opportunities for Investment in: Eco-Resorts, Falls, Lakes, Historical Sites, The Rupununi, Region 9-Savannahs; Sports Entertainment Complex; Theme Parks; Golf Course and Club Tourism; Medical Tourism; Marina and Entertainment Facility.
The ICT Sector
Moving into the future, Guyana is increasing competitiveness in the field of technology. Guyana represents a premiere destination for the BPO industry for several critical reasons: Fluent English-speaking population; Within close proximity to North America; Young motivated workforce.
Opportunities for investment in: Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO); Call Centers; Technology Parks; Medical Records Transcription; Telecommunication Services; Network Management and Security; Software Development; Data Processing Centers
Brigadier(Retd.) Mark Phillips, the Prime Minister of Guyana was also welcomed to India on his visit in February 2024. What were some of his key engagements and outcomes from this visit?
The official visit of Hon Prime Minister Mark Phillips to the Republic of India was aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing discussions on various issues relative to energy, cyber security, and disaster management.
To this end, the Hon. Prime Minister had fruitful engagements with various Indian Dignitaries including H.E. the President of India, the Hon. Vice President of India, various sectoral Ministers, senior Indian officials, Companies and Business Organisations.
The visit of the Hon. Prime Minister of Guyana served as a catalyst for further strengthening cooperation and collaboration between Guyana and India.
A focal point of the Indo-Guyanese partnership has been Guyana’s interest in acquiring defense capabilities from India, aimed at protecting its maritime boundaries. What have been some of the latest developments in this area of bilateral cooperation?
The Government of Guyana recognizes the importance of building capacity and capabilities in the areas of defence and security and sees India as a valued and strategic partner in this regard.
Over the last two years our defense cooperation with India has encompassed extensive training and the building out of human capacity for both commissioned and non- commissioned officers of the Guyana Defence Force.
More recently, the Government of Guyana purchased two Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-manufactured Dornier 228 planes, to enhance the fleet of the Guyana Defence Force’s Air Corp.
Indian Minister for External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Guyana in 2023. This visit was another hallmark of bilateral statesmanship between the leaders of the two nations. How important do you think was this visit in terms of promoting Indo-Guyanese partnership?
The visit of the Indian Minister for External Affairs, Dr. the Hon’ble S. Jaishankar to Guyana represented the first visit of an Indian Foreign Minister to Guyana. During the visit Dr. S. Jaishankar held fruitful discussions on bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed the strong and dynamic ties of friendship shared by Guyana and India.
During this visit, the Hon’ble Foreign Ministers of Guyana and India held the 5th Session of the India-Guyana Joint Commission, where the two sides took stock of the progress being made in the identified areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Further, Dr. S. Jaishankar also participated in the inauguration of the Ocean -going Passenger-cum-Cargo Ferry, MV Ma Lisha, which was built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, an Indian company and the launching of the India-Guyana Chamber of Commerce. These activities not only serve as a testimony of the close bonds of friendship, and to the longstanding development partnership between our two countries, which has ultimately served to advance the Indo-Guyanese partnership.
India and Guyana share a long and much cherished cultural tie. A shared love for cricket or the presence of Indian diaspora in Guyana has only contributed to a much deeper appreciation of this cross border cultural ethos. How important do you think are these cultural links have been in fostering a long-lasting bilateral partnership?
Guyana’s deep ties with India is not one only forged by cordial diplomatic relations but one entrenched in a common history and legacy.
Indians, whose ancestors first came to work in Guyana as Indentured immigrants, constitute the largest ethnic group in the country. They have preserved their cultural traditions and practices which have led to the creation of our multi-ethnic, multi religious and multi-cultural Guyana. This exemplifies the similarities underpinned by diversity that exist in both countries which has resulted in deeper appreciation of our cross border cultural ethos.
Moreover, our mutual love for cricket transcends generations and geography and serves as a unifying force. To this end, the strong people to people ties, culture and traditions, our two countries share have invariably contributed to fostering a long-lasting bilateral partnership.
Indo-Guyanese economic partnership has gained considerable momentum in recent years with an increasing number of businesses from both the countries looking to expand operations in the other. Can you discuss these business enterprises and the road ahead for them?
As our relationship with India evolves the strengthening of our trade and economic cooperation is a key objective of our foreign policy. There are a number of Indian companies currently operating in Guyana in various fields including infrastructure, energy, education, human resources, health and mining.
As Guyana continues to expand rapidly, it is imperative that the private sector attract technologies, capital and talent in a targeted manner that enhances growth along the lines envisioned by Guyanese Businesses. To this end, given the needs of Guyana and the proven capacities in India, several Guyanese businesses have forged partnerships with Indian businesses or are engaging at some other level to access the skills, and services that they see as desirable and tangible.
Each year on May 26 Guyana celebrates its independence with much fanfare. How important is this day in the national consciousness of Guyana?
Our independence anniversary presents a time for both reflection and celebration. In this vein, we are reminded that our one nation has a joint history of oppression, of subjugation and of exploitation and we celebrate because a great victory was achieved by our fore-parents, acting together to end colonialism, to fashion our own future, and to shape our own destiny.
As Guyanese our national day also presents an opportunity to recall the spirit of common purpose, of the great Guyanese of the past, of making of Guyana, a homeland in which all Guyanese could thrive and prosper, and in recalling that spirit, with pride and respect, we equally commit to continue the journey they began, realising our hopes and aspirations for the future of our much- loved Guyana.