It is in this context that Guyana's Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo has made several trips overseas.

These multi-fold visits have served significantly to enhance Guyana's international standing.

In March the Head of State visited China along with a delegation including First Lady Uma Jagdeo. Minister of Agriculture Mr. Navin Chandarpal, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Development Mr. Clement Rohee, Director General of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Elizabeth Harper, the President's Aide-De-Camp Major Walter Morris and the Mayor of Georgetown Mr. Hamilton Green represented Government.

Managing Director of the Laparkan group of Companies Mr. Glen Khan, Managing Director of Wireless Connection Maxwell Thomas, Managing Director of Solomon Enterprises Mr. Stenford Solomon and Adviser to the President on Investment Manniram Prashad comprised the private sector delegation.

President Jagdeo had discussions with the President of China, Hu Jintao, as well as the Premier Wen Jaibo. Their discussions were centered on a wide range of issues, including a review of Sino-Guyanese relations and the exploration of areas for the further strengthening of bilateral technical and economic cooperation.

In May President Jagdeo visited Russia, where the discussions centered on aid for Guyana, especially investment in the bauxite industry by one of the world's leading bauxite firm RUSAL.

In July, the President visited Jamaica to join the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government for the celebration of CARICOM's 30th anniversary, which coincided with the Heads 24th Meeting.

In August the President and a delegation visited neighbouring Brazil. He met President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the two leaders examined issues on bilateral, Regional and international agenda.

President Jagdeo led the high-level delegation to Brasilia, which comprised Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Rudy Insanally, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Anthony Xavier, Minister of Education, Dr. Henry Jeffrey, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manzoor Nadir and Chief Executive Officer of GO-INVEST, Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva.

The Head of State and his delegation visited several areas in Brazil including a Honda factory and SIVAM military base. A number of agreements were signed and the two leaders agreed on a wide range of issues, which include the Guyana-Brazil road link.

The two Presidents declared their satisfaction with the feasibility studies that are being analyzed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the Guyana-Roraima integration project, which involves the construction of a heavy-duty road linking the two capitals. The integration project, which was conceived by GO-INVEST, includes a port and hydroelectric facility in Guyana and an industrial area in Boa Vista.

Presidents Jagdeo and Lula pointed out the importance of a road link between Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and the French Department of Guiana whereby it will increase commercial and tourism flows in northern South America.

At a bilateral level, the Presidents highlighted the importance of the Agreement on International Road Transport of Passengers and Cargo signed in February this year, and are hopeful that it will be ratified in the near future.

President Lula reiterated his commitment to the completion of the bridge across the Takutu River as soon as possible. The bridge will allow for a road link from Bonfim in the State of Roraima to Lethem in Guyana. It was noted that the execution of the project would constitute a step towards the effective communication of the Northern Region of Brazil, Guyana and the Caribbean.

The Presidents agreed to explore avenues to improve air links and the establishment of a regular shipping service between the two countries.

The Presidents also discussed the battle against poverty and the need for progress in policies on social inclusion. They highlighted the importance of collaboration in the areas of health and education.

In the area of education, the Presidents agreed on the modalities for the revitalization of student exchange programmes between the two countries. President Jagdeo offered Guyana as a location for the teaching of English Language.

The Presidents noted the importance of joint mechanisms to review bilateral cooperation and at the same time agreed for early meetings of the Joint Commission, the Guyana-Brazil Group on Consular Cooperation and on Political Consultation.

Many of these trips, although they have resulted in significant benefits, have however been met with criticism from some local politicians.

But President Jagdeo contends "The trips are important for our foreign policy. I think that the point that they miss is that the diplomatic standing of Guyana and the work for diplomacy, we need friends aboard because we have border disputes. We need to use these trips to plug into the economic systems in these countries, expand our markets, get more investors from these countries and thirdly it is an honour for a small country like ours to meet within a period of less than six months, the President of China, the President of Russia, the President of Brazil and now India".

"These are some of the most populous and influential countries in the world. The most strongest country in the Latin America is Brazil, China and India in Asia, and Russia in Eastern Europe and this is important for us," he said in an interview prior to departing for India.

Later this year, President Jagdeo is expected to visit Nigeria following discussions he had with the President of South Africa Thabo Mebeki during the Jamaica meeting in July.