As Foreign Ministers meet in Cameroon, Guyana called for greater support to be thrown behind investments in key transport infrastructure, including cross-border linkages.
Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, Safraaz Shadood made this call as he spoke at the 50th Session of the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
This meeting is being hosted this week in Cameroon, Africa.
According to Ambassador Shadood, inadequate transport infrastructure- be it roads, bridges or other linkages- is a critical barrier to development.
“This deficiency hampers trade, limits access to essential services, and exacerbates poverty. When communities are isolated, they are cut off from the economic activities that could lift them out of poverty. Farmers, for example, struggle to get their produce to markets, entrepreneurs face challenges in reaching consumers, and citizens are deprived of access to education, healthcare, and other vital services,” he said.
As such, Ambassador Shadood posited that there must be more funding for such ventures. A key focus must also be placed on infrastructure that connects countries, he added.
In Guyana, the diplomat noted that Guyana is pursuing a robust construction agenda to build new roads, bridges and highways while also supporting other transportation ventures like an intra-regional ferry.
And Guyana’s pursuit of the new Corentyne Bridge to link itself with Suriname, and developing the Linden to Lethem road for a smoother commute to and from northern Brazil are examples of the country’s focus on cross-border linkages, Shadood pointed out.
“These initiatives will undoubtedly facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services, bolster agricultural cooperation, stimulate trade and investment, and promote tourism within the region. These initiatives also serve as a good example on how OIC states can work towards improving intra-OIC transportation and communication infrastructure.,” the Ambassador said.
He added, “Guyana therefore will support the efforts of the OIC in calling for enhanced transport communication as a key pillar of our national development strategies. We affirm that in today’s interconnected world, no nation can thrive in isolation.”
