U.S to support the building of new railways, tunnels & ports in Guyana

Guyana will soon be undergoing several infrastructure projects to upgrade and build new facilities and systems to serve the public and already the United States is making it clear that these projects will be fair and transparent with no political ties.

This in keeping with the content of the Growth in the Americas Memorandum of Understanding signed between Guyana and the United States on Friday.

The framework, which puts Guyana in a position to see the realization of several new projects in the infrastructural and energy sectors, was signed between U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd.

While the framework was signed at State House Friday morning, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Audrey Waddell was keen to point out that it will facilitate collaboration between Guyana and the United States to identify concrete ways to further their joint interests in infrastructure growth, integration, and energy security.

Infrastructure within the context of the framework refers to water, energy and hydrocarbons, buildings, airports, basic sanitation, information technology, logistics infrastructure, roads, railways, bridges, ports, and tunnels.

“The framework will also help catalyze private capital and facilitate financial market growth for infrastructure development by identifying programmatic and project-specific investment opportunities,” Waddell.

Guyanese also learned that a working group will be established which will be coordinated by senior representatives from both countries.

A work plan will also be developed jointly towards the achievement of the objectives of the framework within 90 days of its effective date.

Secretary Pompeo used the opportunity to clarify that all foreign direct investment will come in a way that is fair and transparent.

“I think every country understands that when America shows up, we ask for nothing more than a fair shot at the competition, rule of law, contracts that are enforceable, a set of property rights.  We don’t apply political pressure connected to our commercial enterprises.  There are other nations that operate very differently,” Pompeo said.

He said the U.S will put no political pressure on countries to accept tenders from them.

“That’s not how American businesses roll.  We show up; we hire locally.  We are great environmental stewards.  We abide by the rule of law.  We respect countries’ sovereignty.  Those are the things that I think nations are looking for, and I think the new leadership here in Guyana is looking for,” he added.

Pompeo assured that all collaboration is done to genuinely ensure that the American people and Guyanese as well benefit from what is done.