Guyana’s development key focus as India deepens ties with Caribbean & Latin America at conference
See below full release from the Indian High Commission in Guyana:
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India is organizing the 9th India – LAC Conclave from 3-4 August, 2023 in New Delhi.
Since 2007, the Conclave has emerged as one of the largest congregations of senior ministers, policy makers and business leaders from Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) Region and India, cutting across sectors. Over the last 8 editions, many dignitaries from Government and Business across LAC countries have addressed the Conclave, shaping policy dialogues of the business engagement between India and the region. The India-LAC Conclave has emerged as an important platform to define India-LAC economic partnership.
The 9th edition of the Conclave aims to serve as an instrument for India’s growing engagement with LAC region. It will also deliberate on new strategies to promote regional partnership for greater global value chains integration apart from deliberating on opportunities across the sectors for enhancing trade and investment between the two regions.
The programme structure of the two-day event would include thematic session focusing on Trade & Investment, Sectoral opportunities like Chemicals, Engineering, Agriculture, IT & Electronics, Energy apart from regional cooperation sessions focused on CARICOM and SICA, B2B meetings, factory visits, investor roundtable etc.
The Conclave so far has received more than 270 senior level confirmations from the 26 LAC countries and 10 other countries outside the LAC region. There are 17 Ministers from 11 countries who will be participating at the Conclave in addition to the Vice President of Venezuela who is leading a large delegation to the event.. The Indian participation stands at over 500 delegates. Guyana has also sent a large delegation.
Inaugural Session of the Conclave will be addressed by Dr S Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs on 3 August 2023. The Special Ministerial Plenary Session will be led by Mr Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry, Textiles, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India 3 August 2023. The Valedictory Session on Furthering South-South Cooperation will be led by Ms Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs on 4 August 2023.
The Conclave for the first time ever is having a Country Session specially focused on Guyana on the inaugural day on 3 August which will be chaired by Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony Minister of Health of Guyana with participation of other senior delegates from Guyana including Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, CEO, Guyana Office for Investment, Captain Gerald Richard Gouveia, National Security Advisor, Mr. Kester Hutson, President of the GCCI in addition to a large business delegation from Guyana. Minister Dr. Anthony will also lead the session on Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals – Partnering for a Healthy Future on 3 August. National Security Advisor Captain Gouveia will take part in the Session on Forging Security and Defence Industry Collaboration.
The main highlight of the Country Session on Guyana is the video message from H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana outlining his vision.
The Conclave also has a Session on India-CARICOM Cooperation : Unleashing the Potential of Global South which will have participation of Hon. Henry Charles Fernandez Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment of Antigua & Barbuda.
