President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday began his first State Visit to Belize, a move seen as reinforcing diplomatic, economic, and regional cooperation between the two CARICOM member states.
President Ali arrived at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd and a delegation of Guyanese investors and business leaders, highlighting a focus on trade and investment alongside diplomacy. He was received by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Amalia Mai, and accorded a full ceremonial welcome by members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF). Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, Francis Fonseca, also formally welcomed President Ali, Minister Todd and the accompanying delegation. Officials said the visit reflects the strong historical, cultural and social bonds between Guyana and Belize, as well as the countries’ shared commitment to regional integration and cooperation within CARICOM. During the visit, President Ali will address the opening of the new session of Parliament and is expected to engage in high-level discussions aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. President Ali will also hold bilateral meetings with H.E. Dame Froyla T’zalam, Governor-General of Belize and Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister (PM) of Belize, it noted.
Speaking ahead of the visit, PM Briceño described Guyana as a rising regional partner within the 15-member regional integration movement, CARICOM, noting its growing influence fuelled by oil wealth. “You know, it’s kind of ironic because at one time nobody wanted to go to Guyana; now everybody wants to go to Guyana. Guyana is a beautiful country… the country is being transformed,” he said.
Briceño said also that any discussions on Belize seeking cheaper oil from Guyana would likely need to take place at the regional level. “Oil, well, that’s something that we probably have to discuss regionally to see if there’s anything that can be done. I wish we could have another Petro-Caribbean programme, but I think that’s highly unlikely,” he said, according to the Jamaica Observer report Friday.
President Ali is the Lead Head of Government in CARICOM for agriculture and in an effort to strengthen regional cooperation, investment and trade, will undertake a visit with the productive sector, the Belize Government noted ahead of the visit. It is expected that a number of cooperation agreements will be signed. PM Briceño said that Belize is looking to deepen cooperation with Guyana in agriculture, tourism and education. (Photos: President Dr Irfaan Ali Facebook page & Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade)
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