EC to fund study for modern transport sector
By Jaime Hall
Guyana Chronicle
May 25, 2004
THE Government of Guyana and the Delegation of the European Commission yesterday signed a G$189 million agreement that will see the start of a comprehensive study for the transport sector in Guyana.
The signing took place at the Ministry of Finance, Georgetown and Minister of Finance, Mr. Sasenarine Kowlessar and Head of the European Commission Delegation, Ambassador, Per Eklund were signatories to the document.
The study is funded under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) and when completed will be able to help Guyana develop a coherent transport sector policy and an accompanying strategy for achieving the target set, Minister Kowlessar said. It is due to start early next year and will take about one year to complete.
The findings of the study will be the main policy guideline for dealing with donors who would provide funding for the development of Guyana's transport sector.
The policy and strategy for the development of the transport sector arising out of the study, will over the next 10 to 12 years respond to some aspects of Guyana's needs as outlined in the national Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), he added.
The objectives of the study will include identifying the requirements in the areas of policy, legislation, regulation institutional arrangements, service provision and implementation for the sustainable growth of the sector.
It also aims to develop an indicitive investment programme, consistent with the Governments anticipated financial capacity which will meet the demands of for transport and support the social and economic development of the country.
The Government of Guyana had approached the European Commission to help fund the study to facilitate planning an intergated transport network, which will allow for the smmoth movement between air, water and road.
Additionally, it has been recognised that the development of Guyana and can be enhanced if there is greater access to the interior regions of the country through better transport network linkages also reaching other countries on the South American continent.
A similar EU backed study has been recently completede in Suriname where measures ans policies for the transport sector's success were identified.