‘Gateway to South America’
Expectations high both sides of the divide
Envoy sees scope for promoting local Indian culture in Brazil
by Ruel Johnson
Guyana Chronicle
March 21, 2004
“Brazilians are a restless, curious people, always looking for something to explore…” – Brazilian ambassador, Ney do Prado Dieguez
THE plans are in the teething stage, but the vision is clear: The gateway through the vast hinterland and the expected ancillary mushrooming of activity along the road to Brazil will bring untold benefits to this developing country that is historically associated with the Caribbean, but which finds itself, geographically, as the lone English-speaking country in South America.
A massive volume of cross-border activity in an era where traditional borders have become extremely porous, and the notion of living frontiers - a geopolitical strategy that pursues the occupation of under-populated border areas - are but two of the myriad considerations under the microscope by a multiplicity of local agencies in anticipation of the opening up of the Guyana/Brazil highway.
Already, several agreements are in place to facilitate the activities, and arrangements for others are being considered.
The Guyana Government also has plans on the drawing board to develop Region Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo), through which the road will wind, to the point where the area will boast extended homesteads, an industrial site, detours into the capital, a larger runway for the airstrip there, and centralised immigration.
The plans also envisage petrol stations, truck stops, bed and breakfast facilities to break the monotony of long hauls on the highway, and businesses hawking local fare.
The neighbouring countries, which have enjoyed more than three decades of cordiality, are set to forge closer relations within the framework of a larger scheme of a Latin American integration project.
The enthusiasm associated with this new gateway is not one-sided.
Brazil sees the opening up of the road as an enormous opportunity for economic development on both sides, as well as a mechanism to bridge the cultural and social divide as well.
Brazilian envoy to Guyana, Mr. Ney do Prado Dieguez, explained that both the private and public sectors are involved in the thrust towards integration. The “ambitious” private sector project includes the road link, a deep water port in Guyana, and a hydro-electric dam. The latter “would send electricity back to Roraima for an industrial district, besides, of course, providing energy to Guyana. The idea is that this industrial district of Boa Vista would extend itself to Lethem to Linden and further,” the Ambassador said in an interview with the Sunday Chronicle.
The governmental project includes the construction of the International Bridge over the Takatu River on the side of Brazil, maintenance of the road between Lethem and Georgetown, and the establishment of legal and institutional frameworks to boost the integration process.
“…In a span of two years,” the Brazilian envoy said, “Brazil and Guyana have signed more agreements than they did in 33 years of diplomatic relations. And this is very important. These agreements cover several areas. I will call your attention to three out of the nine agreements that were signed: the Partial Scope Agreement – a trade agreement that has been renovated in November during the last visit of President Jagdeo to Brazil – note that President Jagdeo has visited Brazil three times last year, which is very significant.
“Second, the International Road Transportation of Cargo and Passenger Agreement and this is the agreement that will actually allow trade and business through the International Takatu Bridge and our road – the road linking Boa Vista/Manaus to Georgetown
“Third is the Partial Exemption of Visa agreement – Diplomatic and working passports are already exempt. Now what we are doing is tourist exemptions … a very important step…. and we will work further for business trips exemption. So when we say partial exemption, it means at the moment we have three exemptions: diplomatic, working passports (official passports) and pretty soon, tourists.
“The agreement is not yet in place. Some people think that because it was signed it is in place. These agreements take some time: They have to go through Congress (in Brazil) and Parliament in Guyana. In Brazil, it is in Congress for ratification. After ratification, then it would start to be applied,” the ambassador said.
A proposal calling for the partial exemption of visas by both Guyanese and Brazilian nationals for vacation and other purposes and signed by the governments of both countries last July was finally passed into Law late Friday by the local National Assembly. The motion was tabled by Guyana’s Foreign Minister, Dr Rudy Insanally.
Restless, curious Brazilians
Referring to Brazil’s experience with living frontiers, the envoy noted that “we have had a huge experience as far as `frontiers’ is concerned… When we opened up in Bolivia, in Paraguay, we’ve had the experience that these areas develop very quickly and have become centres of development.”
Though there is concern over the problems that also cross the borders, the ambassador noted that the countries cannot live in isolation.
“What you have to do is to take measures to try to lessen the negative aspects `cause you can’t erase them and you cannot stop them. But you can lessen them. I think that cooperation would have to extend as far as illicit activities are concerned also. You have to fight it; you have to cooperate to lessen its effects. There’s no such thing as shying away from integration because these problems will occur. Even China has convinced itself that it cannot live in isolation,” he pointed out.
The only Portuguese-speaking peoples in Latin America, Brazilians are a “restless, curious people, always looking for something to explore…” the ambassador said.
The number of Brazilians in Guyana is subject to debate, but Ambassador Dieguez said his compatriots are attracted to this country’s gold and diamond mining industry which is “open to foreigners”.
“I think today it is recognised that they are contributing to the good performance of the gold and diamond mining industries in Guyana and they can be divided into two categories: The investors – and this is the biggest foreign investment in the mining industry – and then there are simple workers.”
The Brazilians, who have now entered the city in greater numbers and have apparently acquired a taste for life in the Southern wards, operate two restaurants, a leathercraft shop, two churches and several mining establishments, among other businesses in Georgetown. They have quickly become absorbed in local pastimes including hanging out at the Georgetown Seawall on Sunday evenings. At times, the only thing that sets them apart from the Guyanese is a sudden, excited burst of Portuguese.
“One of the things I have been calling attention to here is the enormous possibility in culture. We are a linguistically isolated country in South America. You (Guyanese) speak an international language. We don’t. So we have to learn a second language; we simply have to. We have to try very hard to speak Spanish and above all, English. So there are enormous possibilities on the Guyana side to attract the Brazilians. And the Brazilians are coming; they’re coming – not as much as I would wish, but they are coming; and they’re interested in learning English.
“What I think though, is that Guyana still has to organise this – better conditions, better training etc. This is up to you … to offer Brazilian students better conditions,” the ambassador said.
In the area of culture, the ambassador pointed out that the Indian culture is of “great curiosity” to the Brazilians. Brazil has a population of some 170 million, about half of whom are Africans, so “African culture is nothing strange or different”.
“What I’ve been saying is explore Indo-culture. I cannot understand why nobody has ever thought of putting an Indo restaurant in Manaus or Boa Vista. There are other Guyanese restaurants already in Boa Vista, but not strictly Indian restaurants,” he noted.
“We are extremely respectful of other peoples’ cultures. I don’ think that any of our neighbours have any complaints about how Brazilians are acting on the border with them… with respect to attitudes and procedures.”
On the other side of the border, Guyanese are busy buying up land in Brazil, building homes, and establishing businesses. (see other stories on this page)
“A lot of Guyanese are buying land in Brazil and I think they are doing well. Unfortunately, I don’t think Brazilians can buy land here,” the ambassador said.
In addition, he noted that huge numbers of Guyanese seek medical attention in his country, particularly for cancer.
Looking ten years down the road, Ambassador Dieguez expects to find “an extremely busy area: beautiful hotels and shops and Brazilians everywhere.”
He envisions prosperity, business, investment, life.