PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo Friday evening sought to cajole business leaders and investors of the Indian diaspora, especially those in the United States, to invest in Guyana.“…there are ample opportunities for the American-Indian diaspora in renewable energy supply (solar, wind, hydro etc.),†Nagamootoo told those attending the Global Convention of the Global Organisation of Peoples of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in New York.
“There are unbridled opportunities for large-scale agricultural projects, agro-processing and aquaculture on extensive arable lands, development of which has been restricted for centuries to sugar cultivation,†he stated.
In pitching Guyana, he noted that Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America with 215,000 sq. km, the same size as the United Kingdom and 20 times the size of Jamaica; rich in natural resources such as forests, gold, bauxite, gas and oil; politically and economically stable with positive growth rates over the past decade; governed by a six-party, multi-ethnic, coalition Government that has an Open Door policy towards business, etc..
In addition, he stated that 85% of the land space of Guyana is virgin rainforest.
“We aim to develop 100% renewable power supply by the year 2025 under our policy to promote both a clean and green economy,†the Prime Minister stated.
It was with these facts in mind that he invited new investors to Guyana.
“With anticipated alternative energy, Guyana can become a safe haven for ICT and light manufacturing to take advantage of duty-free access to U.S. markets under agreements such as the Caribbean Basin Initiative.
“So, as Prime Minister, I assure you a role in credible investment and business in Guyana.
“We are relatives. Now, we must become partners,†Nagamootoo stated.
He said that though Guyana and India are defined by distinct and different nationalities, almost one-half of the population of Guyana shares ethnic-cultural and ancestral relationships with India.
“We share a common political history of rule by the British. After slavery ended, the British recruited mainly Chinese, Portuguese and Indians to supplement freed African labourers on the sugar estates,†he noted.
Nagamootoo said he traced his own ancestry to South Indian, indentured immigrants who arrived in 1847 in the then British colony and who were bonded to the sugar plantations on the Guiana coastland.
Nagamootoo noted that his ancestors and many other immigrants chose not to return to India and accepted Guiana as their new homeland.
“Though he was born in 1947, the year of India’s independence, like so many other Guyanese I value dearly and cherish my ancestral roots and ethnic-cultural bonds with all Indian citizens and nationals.
“This is why I consider being here amongst you, a privilege and an honour,†he told the GOPIO Convention.
The Prime Minister noted that Guyana and India enjoy special relations.
“India inspired our own independence struggle. India is present in almost all facets of Guyanese life. Indian specialists are helping to modernise and transform our sugar, rice and other agricultural sectors; Indian doctors and medical technicians serve in several of our hospitals; Indian foods, music, art, rituals and even yoga form part of the cultural life of Guyana.
“Besides, India helps to train many of our technicians and media workers under the ITEC programme,†he stated.
