Guyana receives great attention at Shanghai World EXPO

Guyana is showcased among 240 countries and organisations worldwide at the World Expo hosted in Shanghai, China this year.
            Guyana’s booth at the expo continues to attract considerable interest with its captivating display of the country’s unique offerings. The country’s participation is seen as a great opportunity to showcase its offerings to the world and to further strengthen bilateral ties between Guyana and China.

Display of replicas of important buildings around Georgetown

           According to a press release by the Caricom Secretariat, President Jagdeo said that, “China is the future and through our alliances with China we too become a part of the future: a future of scientific and technological excellence and cross-cultural dialogue which will be pivotal to our human development”.
            Guyana’s booth was crafted under the theme, “One people, One Nation, One Destiny”, by Guyanese designer John Fernandes with the guidance of the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce. This was excellently portrayed with a tunnel showcasing the distinctive history of Guyana’s six races.

Visitors in the Guyana Booth

The booth was divided into three sections:  The Amazon Adventure, featuring Guyana’s rich biodiversity and landscapes; Better City, Better Life; featuring historical buildings and other hotspots in Georgetown; and Industries driving the economy such as agriculture, mining and fishing.
Replicas of Amerindian huts and canoes showcasing the lifestyle of the Indigenous people were also displayed along with products of Guyana such as Indi Garam Masala and Curry Powder, Demerara Gold, and a variety of El Dorado rums.
Much interest was generated by Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, which had a specific wall designated to highlight President Jagdeo’s great work. It has attracted the attention of many environmentalists worldwide.
Guyana is being commended by many visitors for having the best booth and the visitors were also given the opportunity to win prizes through question and answer.  Among the items to be won were; bags, T-shirts, DVDS and lapel pins.

Visitors inside the tunnel displaying the six races

Guyana gained immense attention and popularity as China Central Television (CCTV), the Expo Daily Newspaper and the Shanghai Morning Post Newspaper all carried features of Guyana.
The purpose of the World Expo is to promote the exchange of ideas and development of the world economy, culture, science and technology but most importantly to serve as a meeting ground for countries worldwide to display their achievements and improve and foster foreign relations.
The event began on May, and will conclude on October 31.  According to the Expo Bureau, an estimated 70 million people are expected to visit.
The world expo is 150 years old and for the first time ever is held in a developing country.

Barbados Prime Minister dies

Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson according to report reaching our website died, at around 2;00 am this morning at his private residence in the South-Eastern parish of St. Phillips.          
              The forty-eight year old leader was said to have been suffering from a stomach pain since early March, died from pancreatic cancer.

                                                  
    Attorney General and Deputy Prime Minister Freundel Stuart was tasked with taking up the post of Prime Minister, of which he will remain until a further decision is taken.   
              Thompson leaves to mourn his wife, Mara, and daughters Mischa, Oya, and Osa- Marie. The family members and Senator David Durant, an evangelical minister, were by Thompson’s side when he died, according to reports.
             In addition, tributes continued to flow in from around the Caribbean including one from Guyana’s President Bharrat Jadgeo.

President Jagdeo swears-in Public Service Commission members  

A six-member Public Service Commission, that will be tasked with among its many functions, conducting examinations for appointments was officially sworn in by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President today. 

            The members are;- Ganga Persaud; Michael Desmond Hope; Vedyawattie Looknauth; Vera Naughton; Carvil Duncan and Cecil Seepersaud.

             The Public Service Commission which is a constitutional body has been in existence for decades.

            Persaud, in an invited comment, said that the commission has very urgent matters for deliberation, and conclusion and explained that there are two vacancies that would have attracted applications, for which applicants would be awaiting a response. The commission will be deciding on these shortly, he said.

           

Persaud pointed out that the commission is mandated to enhance the public service and life of public servants, emphasising that the basic function of the constitutional body is to make appointments, and that without its existence, such cannot be done.

            He noted that the members are also tasked with adjudicating on disciplinary matters, underlining that there may be persons in this category who are tense, because of no decision being made, thus far.

            He also stressed that the commission is the regulatory mechanism of the public service, since they are also tasked with dealing with the aspects of superannuation benefits for retiring public officers and acting appointments salary approval so that payments can be made for such functions.

            The commission will be holding its first meeting on October 25, and based on an advisory from the body’s secretary, the first order of business will be the appointment of a chairman and deputy chairman, after which the commission will commence its functions.  

Guyana, Ecuador to hold talks on developing a protocol for democracy, combating drug trade

A delegation from Ecuador, headed by its Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino is in Guyana for talks with the Guyana Government, primarily with regards to the process of the handing over of the Chairmanship of UNASUR to President Bharrat Jagdeo.
            on Thursday evening the group met with Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to discuss issues Guyana would like to advance and the process for handing over of the chairmanship.
           Apart from the UNASUR discussions, the two countries will also hold talks on developing a protocol for democracy; combating the drug trade, and climate change mitigations.
            Minister Rodrigues-Birkett in a warm welcome to the Ecuadorian delegation said that it was her first meeting with the Foreign Minister, since the crisis in Ecuador that threatened the democratic process, reiterating Guyana’s firm adherence to democratic principles and support for the Government of Ecuador.
            Ecuador currently holds the chairmanship of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
             The Minister pointed out that Guyana was expected to assume the chairmanship of UNASUR in August; but that this will now take place on November 26, on the occasion of the fourth summit, when Ecuador’s President Rafeal Correa will hand over the chair to President Jagdeo.
            While emphasising Guyana’s pleasure for being able to host its South American counterpart, the Minister said that discussion on bilateral relations, in addition to the transition of the chairmanship and issues that arose during Ecuador’s leadership will also be discussed.  
            Giving a brief background, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett alluded to the signing of the constitutive treaty on May 23, 2008, pointing out that there were several meetings leading up to the historic event.
            She reiterated that though the grouping is still very young, much has been achieved, although there is still more to be done, noting that Guyana as the chair of the organisation will do its best.
            Meanwhile, the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister while addressing media operatives expressed his interest in strengthening relations with the Government of Guyana.


Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caroline Rodrigues-Birkett (second from left), flanked by Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino and visiting delegation during a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

            “We believe that we have a lot to give to each other since we have a common history and we believe that the strengthening of UNASUR and our bilateral relations will have a positive impact on our people,” Minister Patino stated.
            However, there still needs to be two more signatory countries to ratify the treaty and, according to the Spanish speaking Minister, it is his hope that by the time the chairmanship is handed over this will be met. There are currently seven countries already signed on, with the exception of the two.
            “Ecuador would offer all the support that is necessary to assist the administration of Guyana to successfully carry the chairmanship of UNASUR,” he stated.
            In an invited comment, on the protocol of democracy to be developed Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said that it is expected that the protocol will be passed by the Heads State at the upcoming summit.