GUYANA’S Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Dr. Henry Jeffrey and India’s Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Mr. Anand Sharma yesterday signed the agreed minutes at the conclusion of the one-day meeting of the Guyana/India Joint Commission held at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown.

Speaking yesterday afternoon at the end of the meeting, Dr Jeffrey said the two sides were able to conclude the set agenda despite the limited time available for the meeting.

He said that Guyana was able to reorient its bilateral arrangements with India towards agricultural production.

In this regards, Guyana has requested that the line of credit to facilitate the establishment of a multipurpose sports facility be made available for agricultural development.

However, the line of credit for the establishment of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre will be retained.

Additionally the Government of India has committed to increase the number of scholarships accessible by Guyanese students to 50, up from 35, while Technical experts will continue to be supplied to Guyana based on request.

Efforts will also be made for the establishment of an entrepreneurial centre geared at developing the entrepreneurial culture in Guyanese.

Minister Sharma said that the meeting allowed both sides to review the progress of the bilateral arrangements and to refine a road map for future cooperation.

India, he said, is committed to working on improving the capacity of both countries in the field of agriculture research and crop diversification.

Other areas of cooperation include pharmaceutical industry, mining and renewable energy. The reviving of the joint business council would see exchange visits between the leaders of enterprises in both countries.

Mechanisms are also to be put in place to have periodical reviews of these agreements.

Previous bilateral agreements between the two countries saw Guyanese students benefiting from scholarships to India, and that country sending several specialist to work in various sectors in Guyana. The Indian Government also assisted in the building of the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day when Minister Jeffrey declared open the fourth session of the Guyana/India Joint Commission, he said strong focus will be on agricultural production.

He pointed out that the global food crisis has not eluded Guyana and further strengthening of capacity in that area will supplement the measures taken by the Administration to address the problem.

Jeffrey explained that assistance in agriculture will also maximise Guyana’s export drive which has widened as a result of the global phenomenon.

Speaking at his Takuba Lodge, Lot 254 South Road, Georgetown ministry, he said the one-day forum aims to establish a two-year work programme that will be mutually beneficial to both countries.

In attendance at the discussion were representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Health, Education, Public Works and Communication, Agriculture, Housing and Water, as well as the Geology and Mines Commission and Go-Invest.

The Guyanese and Indian delegations reviewed the current areas of cooperation and discuss bilateral project proposals.

Among other issues on the agenda for discussion yesterday were those surrounding bio-fuel, oil and mining exploration, health, education and the need for additional information technology experts.

Touching on previous engagements, Jeffrey disclosed that both countries have agreed to conclude agreements on a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement which have been in the pipeline for some time.

Minister Sharma, during the opening, also lauded the cordial relationship enjoyed between the two countries in the sharing of experiences in a number of fields.

He expressed optimism that the dialogue would deepen and diversify the areas under discussion as well as open up new avenues of opportunities.

Sharma assured Jeffrey that India has a shared commitment in consolidating its plans and building on the social and economic milestones achieved between the two countries.

Guyana and India have enjoyed a very cordial and friendly political relationship based on historical and cultural ties as well as economic and technical cooperation.