President to take part in Jubilee Debt Campaign’s ‘Drop the Debt Fast’
-expresses gratitude for initiative which assisted in Guyana, other countries receiving debt relief
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2008
President Bharrat Jagdeo today via a letter to Development Coordinator of the Make Poverty History Organisation at New Castle University in the United Kingdom, Dr. David Golding agreed to participate in the Organisation’s Jubilee Debt Campaign’s tenth anniversary fast.
The fast marks the 10th year since 70,000 persons formed a human chain in Birmingham on May 16, 1998 encircling the G8 as part of the campaign for debt relief to be granted to poor countries.
Writing in response to the international request for his participation through fasting to observe the ‘milestone’ occasion, President Jagdeo said he is delighted to take part in the initiative which he said he had been privileged to be a part of while he was Minister of Finance.
“The experience is permanently emblazoned in my memory…my country has been pressing for greater debt relief so as to provide more resources for national development. For me, Birmingham 1998 was a tremendous inspiration. I consider that particular moment a defining moment in history,” the President said.
He noted that the impact of the human chain resulted in then British Prime Minister Tony Blair who was chairing the G7, requesting a meeting with a delegation representing the debt forgiveness campaign.
“The immensely successful public advocacy for debt relief at Birmingham precipitated a chain reaction throughout the global community hastening debt relief for many highly indebted poor countries, including my own country, Guyana,” the Head of State said.
The President believes that though not all reforms have been on ideal terms, the Birmingham event shifted the momentum in global reforms towards the debt problem being experienced by poor countries.
“We in the developing world are deeply indebted to the Jubilee Movement and to its successor organisations that have continued to insist on a more just, humane and equitable international system,” he added.
On this note, the Guyanese Leader said he is in solidarity with the movement and its countless supporters and would be honoured to take part in the fast by not consuming water and solid food from 8:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m on Friday, May 16, 2008.
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President meets with Private Sector Commission on cost of living
-urges Commission to also consider hinterland areas for relief
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2008
Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo continues to meet with various sections of society and groups to discuss global rising food prices, the increasing cost of living around the world and their effects on Guyana with the objective of relieving some of the burden on Guyanese.
Earlier this week the President met with religious Leaders and today the Guyanese Leader held discussions with members of the Private Sector Commission at the Office of the President on the issue.
One of the measures discussed was the need for the Private Sector to implement a similar measure as the Government in the case of public sector workers. Last week the President announced several interventions which his administration is making to ease the rising cost of living burden on Guyanese. They include subsidising the 25 percent increase in the price of flour, a $4,000 tax free cost of living allowance for Government workers who earn $50,000 and less and a five percent increase in wages and salaries for all Government employees retroactive from January, 2008.
Following today’s meeting, Dr. Peter De Groot, Chief Executive Officer of Fairfield Rice explained that the meeting with the President went well with President Jagdeo urging the business community to suggest additional methods which they feel could help to relieve some of the burden on their workers.
“Those recommendations were made and will be looked at,” De Groot posited.
He noted too, that Government’s ‘Grow More Food’ campaign was also discussed and the private sector was urged by the Head of State to ensure that they also assist in providing relief to the population in the hinterland and not just to those residing in Coastal areas. This included reducing the cost of transportation for goods to be transported to hinterland communities.
It was noted that many other issues were discussed but that no specific agreements were made. These are expected to be made when the President again meets with the Commission shortly.
The interventions made by the Guyana Government to cushion the rising cost of living occurring around the world as a result of rising fuel and food prices have been noted in several countries internationally since they were announced last week with Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)’s Regional Technical Cooperation Coordinator Dr.Vincent Little describing Guyana’s response as the best in the Region.
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India’s Minister of State for External Affairs pays courtesy call on President
-several cooperation projects discussed
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2008
A number of new projects are under consideration through the cooperation and good relations between India and Guyana.
Today, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma paid a courtesy call on President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President where the issues were discussed and plans outlined.
The Minister, who was accompanied by Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Subit Kumar Mandal, explained that during the discussion the priority sectors in which the two countries will be working together were identified.
Capacity-building, skills development, agriculture and food security, pharmaceuticals and information communications technology were some of the areas listed by the Minister as those being focused on.
He disclosed that it was agreed that a dedicated information technology centre would be set up here as well as another centre for entrepreneurial development.
Meanwhile, the President also met with the Guyana Teachers’ Union today to discuss issues affecting them and ways in which these can be addressed.
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