‘Special Committee” established to advance works on Guyana/Brazil road link – President Ali

—Several other areas of development discussed-

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali says that a ‘Special Committee’ has been established to advance works on a road link between Guyana and Brazil. President Ali made the disclosure today on the sideline of a bilateral meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ernesto Henrique Fraga Araújo.

President Ali said the engagement is a follow up to a recent meeting held in Suriname with Brazil’s President H.E Jair Bolsonaro. The meeting was held at the Pegasus Hotel with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Hugh Todd and other senior Ministers and Government officials.

 “We are talking about integration of the Guiana Shield and link to Brazil which started in and includes Suriname but the immediate task is having the road link between Brazil and Guyana and that is linked to a port development,” President Ali stated.

The Head of state further pointed out that “we have set up a special committee that will be led by the Ministers and a technical team so that we can advance the works and move towards not only the conceptualisation but closer to the implementation of this project. Both sides have committed fully to this development and a joint approach.”

President Ali also highlighted that integration of the two countries’ security efforts were also discussed. This includes targeting human trafficking, securing the border and clamping down on the drug trade.

“We have also set up a high-level team to look at the various security concerns and integrating what we are doing into the regional programme,” the President said.

Another area discussed was how Brazil could support Guyana with its COVID-19 vaccination programme when it comes on stream since Brazil has been developing a vaccine to combat the virus.

Discussions were also held on an expanded ‘Partial Scope Agreement’ to foster greater trade opportunities for the two countries. President Ali noted that discussions were also held on oil and gas and other sources of energy that could be exported to Brazil.

Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1968.