UK firms could help with Guyana’s airport expansion plans

British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy is pushing for Guyana to embrace more firms from the United Kingdom (UK) and hinted that those businesses may be involved in airport expansion plans here.

Lammy, who is of Guyanese heritage, is visiting the country as part of his trip to the Caribbean as Foreign Secretary under the UK’s new Labour Government.

Moments after he toured the forthcoming Maternal and Child Health Hospital at Ogle on Friday, he told the News Room that this project and other ventures with British involvement demonstrate the UK’s value in Guyana.

“This is an exciting moment and it is fantastic to see UK companies bringing their expertise and contributing to the growth of Guyana and obviously, the growth back home,” Lammy said.

Pressed on the benefits UK firms bring, the Foreign Secretary said finance schemes backed by the British government, the country’s “huge experience” in the service economy, and trusted technical skills are among the benefits of partnering with those companies.

“That’s the edge we bring, whether it’s building a road or building a hospital, (and) we’re in further discussion about the airport.

“All of those things are issues we are going to see going forward and they are all about the immense value I think that Guyanese businesses place in UK industry,” the Foreign Secretary told the News Room.

The UK’s interest in the further expansion of Guyana’s main airport, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, is serious.

In an official UK government release on Lammy’s travel to the Caribbean, the country’s interest in having British investors work on the expansion was noted.

“He (Lammy) will also seek to push forward a major infrastructure deal for British construction businesses to help in the expansion of Guyana’s main international airport. This highlights the government’s commitment to opening new overseas markets for UK firms, driving up prosperity and deliver national renewal,” the release stated.

As more regional and international flights expand to Guyana, there is a need to further expand the airport. And several government officials have stated this will be done.

Already, the government recently advertised a G$1.5 billion contract for the construction and rehabilitation of office buildings there, after a previously held contract with a Trinidadian company was terminated. Larger infrastructure works are expected.

Meanwhile, Lammy acknowledged that there are other countries serious about investing in Guyana. He, however, believed that “there is room for a lot of significant players.”