GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (DPI) – His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to working with the government of Barbados in the shared spirit of regional integration. The head of state made this assertion as he welcomed the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley and her delegation last evening to State House for a working dinner.
“I want to let you know that here in Guyana, led by myself as president, the cabinet and the people of this country, we admire greatly, your leadership. We believe strongly in your commitment to regional integration, and we will work with you every single day in our journey ahead together to ensure that the goals that you are setting can be realised and the people of this region can be uplifted to better heights.”
The Barbadian prime minister, as she reflected on the friendship shared with the Guyanese head of state, said that: “For me, it is significant that the last trip that I made when COVID started, before the final lockdowns, was to Guyana. And the first trip that I am making since receiving the mandate to the people of Barbados, again, is to Guyana. I think that that symbolises a very close relationship between our two countries, even beyond what exists with us as CARICOM nations”.
She also expressed gratitude to president Ali for the invitation and the opportunity for Barbados’ public and private sector officials in her delegation to work with their Guyanese counterparts.
“We believe that we are at a time in the world where deeper partnership matters if we are going to be able to move the needle for the benefit of our citizens,” prime minister Mottley added.
Food security paramount
President Ali’s leadership in CARICOM with respect to food and nutrition security was commended and was touted as necessities for the region. She said that Barbados is ready to play its part in achieving a 25 percent reduction in food imports by 2025. To this end, she announced that her minister of agriculture and food security and the island’s chief agricultural officer have accompanied her.
The Bajan leader said that along with agriculture, discussions in hospitality and tourism, education, healthcare and training will also be held as the countries work to enhance camaraderie.
In the spirit of camaraderie, president Ali presented a painting to the visiting official by renowned Guyanese artist, Merlene Ellis.
The president highlighted the significance of the piece and said that it reflects the intimate connection with Guyana’s indigenous population and their harmony with nature, so too does it reflect on prime minister Mottley’s love for her people and for the environment.
Prime minister Mottley and her 14-member delegation arrived in Guyana late yesterday afternoon to also attend this week’s ‘International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana’.
