Government has achieved some positive results in bilateral technical cooperation programmes with Guyana’s trading partners, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee said.

In a press statement he issued at a briefing last Thursday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference room, Rohee highlighted relations with Brazil, Cuba, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, India, Japan, Jamaica, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, the Russsian Federation and Trinidad and Tobago.

In relation to the twin-island republic and Guyana, the statement said, cooperation is expected to resume following the submission of an executive summary “to address the irritants to trade between the two countries.”

In addition, new initiatives are to be reviewed in order to enhance and revitalize the Guyana/Jamaica Joint Commission.

With Brazil, new areas for technical cooperation identified during President Jagdeo’s recent visit, are to be pursued vigorously.

The statement also said that bilateral relations with Cuba are growing. The 22nd Session of the Guyana/Cuba Joint Commission is to be convened in Guyana from September 22 to September 26 in Georgetown. New initiatives are being formulated for adoption at the joint commission and several others adopted under the 21st Session will be implemented.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation is also monitoring the likely conclusion of an agreement for the promotion of trade, technical and scientific cooperation and investment between Guyana and the Dominican Republic.

In terms of trade relations with Colombia, Rohee’s statement said that it is expected that a review meeting will take place before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has invited the Guyana government to participate in the Caribbean Ministerial Seminar for Economic and Administrative Officials and Trade Investment Forum in China from September 2-12. The forum is expected to provide an opportunity for Caribbean countries to promote trade and investment with China.

Guyana and India are also expected to identify a mutually convenient date for the convening of the 4th session of the joint commission. It is expected that new areas of cooperation will emerge from President Jagdeo’s State visit to India later this month.

Guyana is also expected to benefit from the Japanese Technical Cooperation and Grant Aid Programme for the fiscal year 2003/2004, and this country has been requested to submit project proposals for technical assistance.

Guyana is also expected to benefit from several scholarships offered by the Government of Malaysia for the year 2003/2004.

From the Republic of Korea, Guyana is to obtain a Korean grant aid for fiscal year 2003.

And consultations are expected to start with Russia for the conclusion of a comprehensive economic, trade and scientific cooperation agreement towards the enhancement of closer ties.