`Time for Guyana, Brazil private sectors to act’- Brazilian Ambassador pushes for further integration
Guyana Chronicle
December 7, 2003
`I firmly believe that, at this stage of the relations between our two countries, the Guyanese private sector has at its disposal the adequate instruments to establish and enhance a balanced trade linkage with Brazil.’ Ambassador Ney Do Prado Dieguez
`Guyana and Brazil have gone a long way in promoting physical integration and today one can travel by bus from Manaus to Georgetown, in spite of the fact that the international bridge over the Takutu River, under construction, has not yet been completed and that the Linden-Lethem stretch of the Georgetown-Boa Viata-Manaus road has not yet been paved.’ Ambassador Ney Do Prado Dieguez
BRAZILIAN Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Ney Do Prado Dieguez, has once again thrown out an invitation to Guyanese businessmen to aggressively cross the Guyana-Brazil border and conquer the Brazilian market which comprises some 170 million consumers.
“I believe that our Governments are doing their homework on physical integration and the time has come for the Guyanese and the Brazilian private sectors to act,” Ambassador Dieguez said.
Speaking at last Friday night’s Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony which was hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown, the Brazilian Ambassador noted that the determination with which both countries pursue integration can be measured by the fact that Guyana and Brazil signed more agreements in a span of two years than in the past three decades.
such, the legal framework for integration was completed with the signing of the Partial Exemption of Visas Agreement, that followed the Partial Scope Agreement and the International Road Transport Agreement for Passengers and Goods, just to mention three of the most important documents signed,” he told the gathering.
this respect, I would like to invite you once again to aggressively cross the border and conquer the Brazilian market, a market that comprises 170 million consumers,” he stated.
reason why I chose to speak about physical integration and trade is because, as far as our two countries are concerned, these subjects are inextricably connected, especially in view of our extensive and peaceful border,” the Brazilian envoy told the large gathering.
Ambassador Dieguez also recalled that when he presented his letters of Credence to President Jagdeo in June 2001, he had stated that physical integration was a priority and that there was no purpose in the elaboration of the most effective programmes for trade development, for technical and cultural cooperation, if there was not the capacity to easily and swiftly exchange people, products and cultural values.
then, Guyana and Brazil have gone a long way in promoting physical integration and today one can travel by bus from Manaus to Georgetown, in spite of the fact that the international bridge over the Takutu River, under construction, has not yet been completed and that the Linden-Lethem stretch of the Georgetown-Boa Viata-Manaus road has not yet been paved,” he said.
Ambassador Dieguez also highlighted the fact that the Brazilian foreign trade, from January to October 2003, amounted to US$106 billion. Exports corresponded to US$64 billion, and imports to US$42 billion. As such, foreign trade will this year generously surpass the US$107 billion registered in 2002, he said.
He also indicated that in 1983, foreign trade amounted to US$37 billion and to US$64 billion in 1993, the ultimate goal is to re-edit the growth performance of the last two decades and reach at least US$200 billion by 2013.
, the first conclusion one reaches is that Brazilian Foreign trade is constantly and firmly expanding (and) consequently, it is no longer wise, either for big or small international players, to ignore it, as its specific weight, with those of other developing countries such as China and India, begins to be acknowledged in the world market,” Ambassador Dieguez posited.
firmly believe that, at this stage of the relations between our two countries, the Guyanese private sector has at its disposal the adequate instruments to establish and enhance a balanced trade linkage with Brazil,” the Brazilian Ambassador stated.
&Furth, it can rely on both Government’s determination in promoting physical integration (but) as I mentioned before, it all depends on your willingness and boldness,” he added.
He noted that the Brazilian Embassy in Georgetown, through its Trade Promotion Sector, is ready to help and explore all the possibilities of building reliable and equitable economic and commercial relations between Guyana and Brazil.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Edward Boyer, noted that Guyana is now poised to explore and exploit a whole new vista of business opportunities with our southern neighbour – Brazil.
The membership of the Chamber remains cognisant of the need to intensify our trade relations with Brazil and notes with extreme satisfaction the conduct of relations at the highest level between President Jagdeo and President Lula of Brazil,” Boyer told the dinner and awards ceremony. (Mark Ramotar)