MINISTER of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Mr. Clement Rohee, yesterday reported that his ministry "performed very well" in 2003, despite some constraints.
He said, too, that with good cooperation, proper planning and teamwork, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation will continue to record successes in 2004.
"All of those activities which were undertaken during this year, were in pursuance of organizational goals, and the fulfillment of our mission," Rohee told reporters at an end-of-year news conference he hosted at Takuba Lodge, Georgetown.
He said in 2003 the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation pursued a very involved programme of activity, in the course of which it had to face two main challenges. "First, there was the constant need to achieve a minimum level of tools and resources in order to maintain an acceptable level of effectiveness by the Ministry (and) this meant the constant upgrading of staff competence and the Ministry's physical plant," he said.
"Second, the number of critical tasks which the Ministry had to undertake as a matter of priority increased throughout the year," he added.
"In both instances, I would say, the Ministry has managed fairly," Rohee contended.
He also indicated that there has been a relatively significant increase in the budgetary allocation for his Ministry for this year, compared to last year and the previous year. The budgetary allocation this year was $67M, while $27M was allocated last year (2002) and $18M for 2001.
Rohee said the resources this year were spent on workshops, seminars and other staff development programmes, to equip the staff with the necessary skills and knowledge for the improved functioning of the Ministry and the accomplishment of the Ministry's objectives.
He said too that the Ministry this year was involved in the organization and conduct of six local workshops, during which its staff as well as other Government and Non Government Organizations benefited from new information and techniques on matters relating to Foreign Trade. He said some of those sessions also served to create public awareness of trade issues in relation to Guyana.
Additionally, he said the Ministry participated in two COTED meetings, organized and conducted CSME events and participated in sixteen overseas workshops and meetings.
During the next year, this Ministry will strive to accomplish its mission and according to our projections for 2004, there will continue to be workshops, seminars and other staff development programmes, which will benefit not only this Ministry and its officers, but also the wider Public Service, Non Governmental Organisations and the public at large.
He noted that during 2003, the Ministry submitted 12 Memoranda to Cabinet and the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Trade, on matters pertaining to Guyana's implementation of its commitments and obligations with respect to the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Rohee also reported that in 2003, the Department of International Cooperation was able to accomplish its mandate and has continued its efforts to mobilize technical and human resources to match needs in those sectors, which are executing and implementing programmes to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the people of Guyana. The Department's primary role is to provide innovative and positive support for initiatives aimed at promoting trade and investment and other opportunities for national development.
At the beginning of 2003, Rohee said the Department sought to identify countries to focus its efforts on, with a view to optimizing its bilateral cooperation programmes. Some positive results in bilateral technical cooperation programmes were realized with several of Guyana's bilateral and technical trading partners, namely China, India, Brazil, Japan and Cuba.
Positive results were achieved through the department's efforts in following up cooperation programmes agreed on at Joint Commissions and other bilateral meetings.
According to Minister Rohee, these cooperation programmes were further expanded and strengthened by State Visits by President Bharart Jagdeo to China, Brazil, India and Russia.
Rohee also indicated that although the Department of International Cooperation has achieved its mandate for 2003, it was accomplished by overcoming many obstacles in its effort to coordinate.
One of the mechanisms used to overcome these obstacles was the convening of social encounters, he said. These social encounters were convened to address the coordinating difficulties of the department of International Cooperation in sensitizing Ministries, with the view to optimizing relations, enhancing communication and to discuss the difficulties encountered.
He said, too, that for 2003, a total of 26 Cabinet Memoranda were submitted to Cabinet, apprising and consulting Cabinet on a wide range of issues, which were being pursued by the Department of International Cooperation.
"These Cabinet Memoranda are reflective of the strategic and integral efforts at achieving the department's mandate for 1003," Rohee asserted.
He said the Department of International Cooperation also facilitated the signing of a total of 21 agreements between Guyana and its bilateral partners. Many of these agreements were beneficial to the social sectors and in keeping with the objectives of the National Development Strategy and in compliance with the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, the Minister added.