It said that during the bilateral meeting with the IMF, Guyana's programmes were reviewed and as a result, an IMF delegation is expected here within the next two weeks to work out with the Government of Guyana the details of its proposed programmes and funding requirements.

During the meeting, the President discussed Guyana's economic and social performance in which assistance can be rendered through the IMF and World Bank, to local institutions that support programmes contributing to nation building, GINA said.

Assistance for social and economic programmes that would tremendously improve the quality of life for all Guyanese is expected to be forthcoming in the near future from the two international funding agencies, it reported, adding that the World Bank meeting was successful in relation to funding for Guyana's programmes and projects.

It said the World Bank and the Guyana delegation were mutually satisfied with the outcome of their meeting.

A meeting Friday with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Richard Armitage also yielded much success, the agency said.

It said the President and Mr. Armitage discussed the issues of deportees coming back to Guyana from the United States, adding that Mr. Jagdeo requested assistance from the U.S. Government for the rehabilitation of deportees once they return here.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also supported by the Guyanese Head of State to address all issues affecting deportees, GINA said.

President Jagdeo used this meeting to express gratitude to the United States Government for the benefits Guyana would derive from the U.S. President George W. Bush's $15 billion proposal to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa, Guyana and Haiti.

GINA noted that two United States Senators, Mike De Wine of Ohio and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, visited Guyana late last month as part of the fact-finding mission related to the $15 billion proposal.

During his visit, the President also met the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mr. Andrew Natsios and Mr. Randy Quarles, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury who also has special responsibility for Latin America and the Caribbean.

President Jagdeo also on Wednesday met Vice President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Mr. Dennis Flannery.

During these meetings, GINA said, the current portfolios for assistance were reviewed, as well as possible assistance on various projects to be implemented in Guyana over the next three years.

The President on Wednesday took the opportunity to express appreciation to USAID and IDB for their support to nation building programmes in Guyana, especially in relation to trade matters and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"Gratitude was also conveyed for the assistance provided by these two institutions for facilitating the implementation of the country's comprehensive economic plans", GINA said.