GUYANA and China have agreed to enhance trade relations with the establishment of a joint business development council.
The official exchange of notes on setting up the council took place yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation in Georgetown.
Foreign Trade Minister, Mr Clement Rohee and China's outgoing Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Song Tao signed the agreement in the presence of a Guyanese delegation of private sector representatives.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry and chairman at the signing, Mr John Isaacs, said the idea for the council came out of the eighth session of the Guyana/China Joint Commission held in Georgetown, last March.
He said Rohee had several follow-up meetings with the ambassador on how the Guyanese and Chinese governments and private sector could interact to their mutual benefit.
Isaacs told Mr Song that the ministry values his input into Guyana's development, and that he was glad that the exchange of notes happened under the Ambassador's tenure.
In brief comments, Ambassador Song said that it was his great pleasure to be here to be able to sign the documents.
He said the agreement would promote stronger economic cooperation and increased trade investments between Guyana and China. Song feels that the council will provide better understanding between the two countries and mutual benefits for both.
He took the opportunity to extend best wishes to the Guyanese people and said he will always remember his stay here, the country having become a second home for him.
He said that even after leaving Guyana, he will dedicate himself to enhancing the friendship between China and Guyana.
Rohee said that Ambassador Song was leaving Guyana with "flying colours" after having accomplished much in cooperation between Guyana and China.
He agreed with the envoy on the benefits the agreement would have for both countries.
He said that it was the role of governments to facilitate agreements of this kind, but it was up to the private sector to take up the mantle of enacting actual trade.
Rohee hopes that the private sector could live up to the expectations of the agreement.
The Guyanese delegation at the signing comprised Mr. Yesu Persaud, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission; Chairman of the Guyana Manufacturers' Association, Mrs. Doreen DeCaires; Mr Eddie Boyer, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce; and President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce, Mr Muntaz Ali.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manzoor Nadir was also present.
In invited comments after the signing ceremony, Boyer said the private sector in Guyana is very receptive of the agreement.
He said the council creates the environment for Guyanese companies to explore joint business ventures with Chinese entities.
Boyer said that currently the Guyanese market is saturated with foreign goods and the enormous imbalance in trade needs to be rectified.
Joint development with China can lead to a variety of benefits to Guyana, from the enhancement of competitive value-added products for export, to the supply of labour for local industries, he noted.
(RUEL JOHNSON)