Canada is adjusting its international assistance programme to strategically support Guyana’s growth, as it seeks to deepen ties, according to Canadian High Commissioner Mark Berman.
He made the comments on Thursday night while addressing a Canada Day reception at his official residence.
High Commissioner Berman noted that through Canada’s International Assistance Programming, it has been partnering with Guyana to support efforts that foster economic and climate resilience while strengthening inclusive governance, education, health and gender equality.
“As Guyana continues to develop, Canada is also adapting our international assistance programming to strategically support your growth – we will remain a steadfast and reliable programming partner and will continue to work alongside Guyana to reach the Sustainable Development Goals,” High Commissioner Berman said.
The High Commissioner said women, girls and marginalized communities are at the center of Canada’s development agenda.
Last year, Canada funded nearly CAN$10 million in programmes, including a CAN$2.5 million Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme.
The project, which aims to improve maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the hinterland regions of Guyana, is being rolled out in partnership with the Canadian University, McMaster, as well as the Giving Health to Kids foundation.
High Commissioner Berman said Canada’s relationship with Guyana is built on fruitful partnerships at all levels of government, as well as civil society and other key stakeholders.
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), he said, is one such mechanism that allows Guyanese to access grants for the execution of community-based projects.
In the area of Trade and Commerce, the Canadian High Commissioner said the Trade Commissioner Service continues to play an essential role for Canadian businesses aspiring to extend their reach to Guyana.
“We are proud to say that over the last year the TCS has facilitated over 60 direct business interactions by creating invaluable linkages, not only by promoting Canadian interests but also indirectly by providing investment opportunities and sharing expertise for Guyanese businesses and organisations – essential in the currently developing economy of Guyana,” he said.
President Irfaan Ali, in his address, said Guyana looks forward to depending ties with Canada as one of its key development partners.
“We welcome the technical cooperation projects and capacity building programmes facilitated by the Government and people of Canada in the areas of human resource, community, and judicial development, security and in the energy sector. All of these areas in which we are collaborating and you are supporting us, are essential areas for the resilient, sustainable development of our country,” President Ali said.
The President said Guyana also looks forward to continued collaboration under the Guyana-Canada Bilateral Consultation to realize greater cooperation through the MOU to facilitate trade and investment, and the finalization of the air transport agreement.
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