President David Granger: High Commissioner Pierre Giroux and Mrs. Blanca Giroux; Honorable Moses Nagamootoo, Prime Minister and First Vice President; Vice Presidents Carl Greenidge and Khemraj Ramjattan; Ministers of the Government; Members of the National Assembly; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; special invitees; members of the media; ladies and gentlemen:
The Cooperative Republic of Guyana is happy to extend congratulations on this auspicious occasion on the celebration of the 149th Anniversary of Canada’s Independence and National Day.
As you have heard already, it is a happy occasion that this celebration is a coincidence; not only is Guyana is observing the 50th Anniversary of its own Independence, but also the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Canada.
Your Excellency, relations between our two countries have been sustained and have improved over the decades. Canada Day 2016, therefore, is proof of the fact that a small state in South America can enjoy friendly and fruitful relations with a big state in North America.
Relations between Guyana and Canada have been strengthened through increased technical cooperation, trade and development assistance.
Canadian companies at this moment are engaged in Guyana’s forestry and mining sectors. Canadian companies have brought considerable expertise and experience in the extractive industries. Canadian markets are more accessible to Guyana’s goods under the preferential CARICOM trading arrangement. Guyana is keen to attract investment from Canada that would add greater value to its exhaustible resources.
Excellency, Guyana is examining actively, the proposals that have been made by Canada for trade and development. We are mindful of Canada’s desire to work with Guyana through agencies such as the Canadian Commercial Corporation and Export Development Canada among others. We welcome also, Canada’s offer to assist Guyana to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Excellency, Canada has been supportive of Guyana’s sovereignty (well, we support your sovereignty too). Guyana applauds the consistently principled position that Canada has taken in defence of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Guyana welcomes and appreciates the support which is a manifestation of Canada’s interest in ensuring respect for the inviolability of international treaties; particularly here in the Western Hemisphere. Canada has been an important ally of Guyana within the Commonwealth. Guyana looks forward to continued collaboration with Canada in international organisations.
Excellency, tonight Guyana joins the rest of the world, particularly the hundreds of thousands of Guyanese who live in Canada as it celebrates its national day. We join you in saluting your achievements as a nation and I am confident that the large Guyana diaspora in Canada will be part of the celebrations on this occasion.
Excellency, may I propose a toast to the health and personal wellbeing of the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Pierre James Trudeau and the happiness of the people of Canada on this occasion of your country’s national day.
Thank you.
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