-as Guyana hosts meeting of maritime heads

-by NaAsia Bristol

Guyana is hosting the fifth regional meeting of Directors and Head of Maritime Administration (DIHMAR) to discuss cooperation and the future of the maritime sector. 

Speaking at the opening on Sunday, Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar said maritime transport remains critical to global trade and stressed the need for practical solutions to challenges facing the industry.

“For our region as a maritime transport remains the backbone of international trade. Commerce carrying over 80 per cent of goods across this planet. Just think about that. That is UN trade data,” he pointed out.

Guyana is hosting the fifth regional meeting of Directors and Head of Maritime Administration (𝐃𝐈𝐇𝐌𝐀𝐑)

Minister Indar said Guyana is pursuing plans to become a regional hub for commerce through investment, imports and logistic infrastructure. However, he warned that global conflicts and disruption continues to affect shipping routes and increase costs.

“We gather to discuss challenges and to develop solutions, not just the challenges.We just don’t want to be a meeting that is a receptacle for challenges and complaints. We want it to be one where solutions can be proffered,” he said.

The three-day meeting coordinated by the International Maritime Organisation and the Government of Guyana continues until Wednesday. It is expected to ignite proposals for closer collaboration between maritime organizations throughout the region.