Brazilian company proposes trans-Guianas bus service
Stabroek News
February 9, 2003
A regular bus service linking the Brazilian towns of Manaus and Macapa with French Guiana and Suriname via Guyana may soon become a reality, compliments of a Brazilian transport company.
Reitour Empreendimentos Turtsticos Ltd, in association with several local businessmen, will soon sign a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a road transportation and bus service.
This was announced by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Anthony Xavier when he headed a ministerial team to the opening of Guyana’s consulate in Boa Vista on January 31. The ceremony for the consulate’s opening was witnessed by dignitaries from both Brazil and Guyana including three ministers and the countries’ ambassadors. A plaque was unveiled to commemorate the occasion.
The delegation included Amerindian Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues and Public Ser-vice Minister Jennifer Westford. Minister Xavier outlined some of the areas of agreement including the Guyana Brazil Group on Consular Co-operation, which allows co- operation in health related matters including vector-borne diseases in the border areas and collaboration between customs officials at Lethem and Bon Fim.
Minister Xavier also touched on some areas where negotiations were engaging the administrations of the two countries including the Partial Scope agreement on trade and a private sector agreement between IPED and SEBRAE.
The conclusion of the work on the Takutu river bridge and the conclusion of the 608km roadway from Georgetown to Lethem, Xavier said, also highlights two projects aimed at strengthening ties between the states.
Focusing on the establishment of the new consular office, Minister Xavier said that Roraima state was chosen due in part to the large numbers of Guyanese living there and the need to facilitate the likely increase in travel between the two states with the road’s completion.
