In a bid to enhance trade relations between Canada and Guyana, the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) has been called upon to ramp up its efforts in fostering strategic partnerships and investments.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud emphasized the critical role the Chamber can play in elevating trade and investment ties between the two nations.
Persaud underscored that now is the opportune moment to bolster trade relations between Canada and Guyana.
Highlighting Canada’s status as Guyana’s third-largest trading partner in the Americas, Persaud emphasized the need to diversify and enhance trade through strategic investments.
He stressed the importance of attracting more Canadian businesses to engage in exports and imports, not just limited to goods but also encompassing services like tourism, transport, consulting, and education.
Persaud specifically pointed out the potential for expanding trade in sectors such as gold, liquor, and bauxite, while also urging for diversification into other agricultural and industrial exports.
He outlined Guyana’s vision to emerge as a leader in food, energy, and climate security and urged the Chamber to align its efforts with this national vision.
The Foreign Secretary called for increased collaboration and trade missions between Canada and Guyana, focusing on export diversification, productivity enhancement, technological transfer, and market research.
He also highlighted the opportunity presented by the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN) of 1986, urging the Chamber to leverage this preferential trade arrangement.
Moreover, Persaud emphasized the potential of harnessing the Guyanese diaspora in Canada for economic development, calling for meaningful engagement and collaboration between the diaspora, the Canadian government, and the Chamber.
In conclusion, the Foreign Secretary’s address underscored the pivotal role of the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce in driving forward the economic agenda of both nations, signaling a new chapter in bilateral trade relations.